Nervous about getting in

<p>Well, I've done the research and I really feel St. John's is the perfect college for me. I absolutely love everything about the college, the method of learning, the environment, location, ect. I'm currently a Junior, and although the high acceptance rate is rather comforting, I'm still afraid I might not get in because of grades. I know St. John's doesn't really put much weight into it, but I have a 2.75 unweight right now, and if things go my way the end of this year, I'll start senior year with a 3.00 or something very close to that. I take AP/IB classes so my weighted gpa will be 3.8 or so....but I reaalllyy want to get in. I'm going to visit the campus this September, possibly schedule an interview while I'm there. Anyways, will my grades be a factor?</p>

<p>You'll be fine. I think I had a 3.00 when I finally graduated from high school. I had a really awful first couple of years, but then had a strong upward trend through the rest. I explained the reasons why in my essays and was able to speak candidly about my difficulties in my interviews. The most important thing was that I wanted to be there and they felt I was the right fit. I know plenty of people who pretty much failed out of high school and are here, but I also know people who were perfect students and were also accepted at Harvard. If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a PM and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.
Edit: I forgot to mention, I am currently a junior and grades and performance haven't been an issue. I have, admittedly, changed my work ethic.</p>

<p>sebabella, It sounds like we’re In the exact same situation… I have spent many a night wondering about my fate at the college, especially after I went as a “prospie” down to Annapolis… So I was wondering eamon if you could describe a bit of what you talked about in your essays just as a model to see how students construct them.</p>

<p>I suppose that if you express your desire to go to the college on your essays, chances are you will get admitted. What I’m interested in is the cutoff. When does the school deside to not admit somebody. Being such a self selective school, I am certain that everyone that applied was a zealot, so when they reach the capacity of their freshman class and they’re down to two applicants, who are they going to admit? The one with the higher GPA? Higher SAT? Or do they still look at the essays the most. That’s what I’m most concerned about.</p>

<p>When I was down as a prospie the admissions guy I had an interview with told me that sometimes they cap their admissions per class at a certain number above 300. But after that, he told me that If an applicant applies after they cap it, but they would have admitted him otherwise they tell that applicant that " We can’t accept you for this class, but we can for the year after that".
And Im pretty sure that i ntheir admissions process, they never have it " down to two applicants" because of the rolling admissions policy, which is designed exactly for the opposite reason of applicant comparisons on stupid things such as SATs and GPA. And if your concern is about that, then apply early on next year to assure yourself a spot!</p>

<p>I just have to say every time I’m sitting in a class in my high school, mentally wasting away, I think about St. John’s and how intellectually alive it must be. Just wondering if anyone else feels or felt that way in school before St. John’s College?</p>

<p>you’re definitely not alone, “mentally wasting away” is how I’d describe my feelings in every school situation so far…very much hoping that (a) st john’s works out for me and (b) that it will be a very different experience :)</p>

<p>I concur completely.</p>

<p>Glad that I’m not the only one feeling that way!</p>