<p>Hello there! Ok, so I'm currently a sophomore in one of the country's top independent day schools...we consistently send many kids to the top schools in the country and it's well known that our school is very, very, very intellectually challenging. My ultimate goal is Princeton University. Last year, as a freshman, I got straight A's (but no honors classes), this year...well, it's a little different. For our school, Sophomore year is supposed to be the hardest since it's the biggest jump. I'm expecting to get 2 A's (in AP Spanish Language and Algebra 2 Honors), and B's in (European History, AP Computer Science A), and B+'s in the rest (English and Honors Chemistry). There is a possibility that I can raise my euro grade to a B+ and my English and Chem grades to A-'s...but I think it's a slim chance. Anyway, assuming that I get my projected grades, and I get straight A's (maybe an A- or two) next year, and A's first semester senior year, is there still a chance I won't get automatically thrown in the rejection pile? I have leadership, a lot of community service, and most-likely will publish in a journal this summer. I also play a sport, which I'm not great at, but I'm working on it:) Please tell me what I can hope for!! Thanks so much : )</p>
<p>Yes, you definitely have a change of being accepted even with some b’s. Honestly, there are lots of people who get into Yale without a perfect GPA. so as long as your extra-curricular activities are great and your essays/recommendations are well-written, you still have a decent chance.</p>
<p>What a relief! So them seeing an improvement in my grades would reflect well upon me?</p>
<p>Yes it would as long as you continue to take challenging classes. I think a 4.0 in your next two years would mostly cover up the b’s in your sophomore year, so really work hard at that. And overall, you’re doing great. Good luck!</p>
<p>People do get into top schools with less than pristine grades, but they generally have some sort of redeeming quality–URM, legacy, athlete, or internationally recognized at an EC. </p>
<p>Since you go to a top prep, you’ll likely be competing against legacies–who may have better grades than you do.</p>
<p>So is all hope lost? Of course not. But I’d recommend finding less competitive schools to fall in love with, and let Princeton surprise you if you end up in the “Accept” pile.</p>
<p>Princeton does not look at freshman year too much though, and when you calculate your gpa, + and - are dropped so all A- are A’s and B+ are B’s</p>
<p>My school said that they calculate GPA’s and send it to colleges…does that rule still apply?</p>
<p>Colleges recalculate it unless they specify ( duke is the only one I know that does)</p>
<p>I failed to mention, I have a sister that went to princeton…she as well as my parents donate money to the school. would that help too?</p>