<p>I have a bit of an odd circumstance about me... I had smooth sailing my freshman and sophomore years, good grades, ECs and volunteering. Now I've had some rough family times since the end of my sophomore year, I went in to my Junior year having to drop ECs to get a job to help the family (I also ended up taking an early release period to be able to show up for the job on time, great record with my employer though), and I maintained AP classes but had one grade drop to a C (79) whilst keeping the rest high As. It's even stranger to note that the class that dropped to a C is the one that I'm for the most part great in! 2nd Semester my situation has improved tenfold, and I'm looking to finish it out with stars in my eyes. I'm wondering how big of an impact that this absolutely horrific (in my eyes) 1st Semester will have on my applications to Ivy Leagues and other schools. (Just for your information, my family situation has stabilized and the job has taken a huge step backwards in priority, so learning is now again the number one focus)</p>
<p>SAT: 2360 (800 Math, 800 Reading, 760 Writing)
ACT: 35
PSAT: 232 (National Merit Hopefully (Texas))
SAT 2: 800 Math II, 800 Biology M, Chemistry/Physics in June 2013 (Maybe World History/English)</p>
<p>Schedule: 9th grade:
Honors Geometry
Honors Biology
Honors Geography
Computer science
Honors English
Honors Spanish II (Spanish I in 8th grade)</p>
<p>10th grade:
Honors Algebra II
Honors Chemistry
AP World History
AP Biology
Honors Spanish III
Honors English II</p>
<p>11th grade:
Honors Pre-Calculus
AP Chemistry
AP United States History (Dreaded C - 79)
AP English Language
Honors Anatomy and Physiology
Honors Debate</p>
<p>12th grade: (Next year)
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C
AP English Literature
AP Government
AP Economics</p>
<p>Independent Study and Mentoring (I go get an internship from an industry professional and spend my last period plus more every day under the mentor, more than likely will be a Cardiologist or Defense Attorney, perhaps an Anesthesiologist (I love the Chemistry)) </p>
<p>My grades tend to range from B+ to A+ except a B- in my Honors English I, and Honors Anatomy and Physiology. There was also a C (79) semester average in AP United States History, which was odd because my average of both semesters for AP World History was a 98 and I made a 5 on that test - I'm a history buff. I'm worried that the occurrence of both the poor B- in Honors Anatomy and Physiology and the C in AP United States History will show 'deteriorating' grades from my first Junior semester. </p>
<p>AP scores: Computer Science A (only took the test) - 5, Biology - 5, World History - 5 - I'm confident in my current classes, Chemistry, United States History and English Language. </p>
<p>Extra-curricular Activities:
<em>Sophomore Year: First Chair All-State Alto Clarinetist</em> (Did not return Junior year due to job - intend to return for my Senior year)
Honor Society (3 years thus far)
Science Club (3 years thus far)
Marching band (2 years and then I had to quit my Junior year but I am accepted to continue in through my senior year)
History Club (3 years thus far)
Computer Science Club (1 year thus far)
Spanish Club (2 years thus far)</p>
<p>Recommendations: Physics teacher, Pre-calculus/Future BC Calculus teacher, English Language Teacher. They are all very VERY fond of me in their classes. I also intend to provide them a resume with which they can 'play up' my Extra-curricular activities. </p>
<p>Intended major: I can not stop flip-flopping between Biochemistry with an emphasis on applied medicine or a Pre-law/History degree. I'm extremely passionate about 'moral causes' and historical trends encompassing politics, but I'm also blown away and intrigued about Biochemistry and the innumerable possibilities of applied medicine/pharmacology. It's mind boggling to me.</p>
<p>Colleges I'm curious about:</p>
<p>Stanford University
University of California - Berkeley
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Chicago
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Harvard University
Princeton University
California Institute of Technology</p>
<p>Basically any feedback on whether I have a chance at these colleges, despite my less than stellar first semester during my Junior year, would be immensely appreciated. I realize no one can say for certain whether or not you will be accepted or denied from the Ivies, as they are holistically based. Nonetheless a few replies commenting on the nature of my situation would be magnificent. </p>
<p>My gratitude for your time in reviewing this post :)</p>