<p>We've all heard it before: the student who comes into college with a 4.0 high school GPA but doesn't quite meet his/her previous standards at university... This is me, only I didn't make a few mistakes freshman year. I screwed up, and badly (I'm not complaining about A minuses or Bs). Of course I have my reasons (family deaths and drama, depression, wrong crowd, etc.) but in the end who cares? I don't! And I have nightmares every night because of this. </p>
<p>Now I am returning to school with a vengeance. Everything else - friends, activities, even my serious relationship - are all going to fall behind academics. I plan on studying next summer too instead of going on vacation with my family. But is it even worth it after screwing up so badly? And will any grad schools take me after the extraordinary mess I managed to make of my GPA first year of college?</p>
<p>I would appreciate people's input on this! It stresses me out so badly.</p>
<p>I once heard a Stanford dean describe how he flunked out of college his sophomore year. You can definitely recover.</p>
<p>First, if you're thinking about grad school (as opposed to professional school), your gpa in your field is more important than your overall gpa. Second, if you do well in more advanced classes in your field, it can cancel out poor performance in the intro courses. Third, faculty recommendations count for a whole lot when applying to grad school, not just gpa. Fourth, lots of people crash and burn the first year, for reasons that range from the need to learn how to manage time and independence, to poor high school preparation, to picking the wrong courses, let alone family death and drama. </p>
<p>So, don't stress. Instead, really analyze what went wrong the first year and seek all the help and advice your college has to offer -- whether it's the study center, the writing center, the psychological counseling center, the advising center, help rooms and tutors, or all of the above. Pick your classes carefully, so that you don't get in over your head in a class that requires stuff you really didn't learn well in a pre-requisite. Choose some classes with a view to building your confidence back. </p>
<p>Hope that helps, and good luck. You have lots of time left to turn things around and grad school admissions committees see examples of students who did that all the time.</p>
<p>when you say that your major GPA is more important than overall, does this also apply to instances whereone decides to not pursue a degree in the same major as undergraduate? eg. say, chE-->MSE.</p>
<p>"I am returning to school with a vengeanance..." says it all! You can turn around your scores since you have 3 more years to go. Your words reveal an intense motivation to continue with your academics. Do not give up now. You can do it!
All the Best!</p>
<p>You know what? Don't worry about it. After all, it's done, and the best is to move on. If you do extremely well your next few years and get glowing recommendations, you will be fine.</p>
<p>If it makes you feel any better, I failed out miserably my first TWO years. I have since gotten into almost every school to which I applied, with funding. Just don't make the same mistake again.</p>
<p>If you fail badly a second year, I would advise transferring to a different school where you can start over with a different group and reestablish yourself as a scholar.</p>