So my freshman year I just did absolutely GARBAGE I skipped class and hung out with horrible people and my grades were 4 D’s and 8 F’s. Out of the 12 classes I took, But this year I have a 3.17 GPA my sophomore year for my first semester and I plan on maintaining at leaste a 3.0 GPA but will it be good enough? I feel like because I messed up freshman year my goal of going to a school like UC Berkeley or any school like that I have no chance.
You need to get that at least a 3.5 or you have little/no chance. Although, if I can remember correctly, UC looks at 10,11,12 grades. You have to calculate your UC GPA.
I know nothing about the admissions policies of particular schools.
But I would like to think that admissions counselors can see a world of difference between a 14 year old and an 18 year old. Lots and lots of freshmen are immature… just ask their teachers or their parents!
It looks to me as though you’ve shown real growth, and I"m sure that admissions counselors will take that into account. Continue to do your best, and find some activities that interest you. (I’m not a fan of joining activitites merely to pump up an application; I would much rather you join things that give you joy.)
Don’t concentrate on 3.0 vs 3.5, just do your best. At some point, your education should be about what you learn, and not about the digit after the decimal on your GPA. Concentrate on becoming the type of student colleges will want to admit: students who show academic growth (you’re well on your way there!), who contribute positively to both the school and the local communities.
You’re 15 years old. You still have lots of opportunites ahead of you!!
UC’s do not use Freshman grades for their UC GPA calculation however, you still report these grades on your application. If you show an upward trend that will help in your favor but the average UC GPA for UCB is 4.2 weighted, your chances are slim even if you get straight A’s from now on. There are still many good schools that would gladly accept. Keep working hard and keep your options open. Great advice in above post^