<p>Okay, so I go to a very competitive surburban hs and and last year, my cumulative gpa was 3.6, and know b/c of a crappy quarter I now have a 3.5 cumulative which places me 240/565...it's possible that I can get a 4.0 for the reast of the year...I could even try to junior year (next year.)...do you think my class rank could improve by then...??!</p>
<p>I'm terrified.</p>
<p>You're applying to duke and you have a 3.5?</p>
<p>IDK man you're going to have to have stellar SAT's and GPA for the rest of your HS career to qualify.</p>
<p>Don't fret though. Many schools (not sure duke specifically but maybe) notice upward trends and if they see the jump from a 3.5 to a 4.0 they'll think you're an extremly hard worker. Do well on SAT's and you should be okay (permitting you're on some varsity team/math team)</p>
<p>is that a 3.5 weighted or unweighted?</p>
<p>What the above said, uw or w? </p>
<p>if that's weighted I must say you're in trouble.</p>
<p>It's unweighted...I'm a sophomore btw..if I manage to maintain a 4.0, do you think that i could break into the top 15% by at least next year??!</p>
<p>You're a sophomore? Then chill dude chill. Your whole life isn't decided yet, and most admissions (Duke most likely included) don't weigh your freshman GPA. In fact, it is much to your advantage that if you get a 4.0 sophomore and junior year they will notice what is called an "upward trend". This will astound them and will help make up for the freshman year. I know people who bombed (we're talking 3.0/4.0 here) freshman year but aced their other years and they got into Stanford. </p>
<p>Other advice: take hard classes, get involved in lots of extracurriculars and study for SATs in your free time.</p>
<p>Sorry for the double post, but I have some more info that will ease your fears.</p>
<p>Your top choice is Duke right? Check out Princeton Reviews runthrough of them: [url=<a href="http://princetonreview.com/schools/college/CollegeAdmissions.aspx?iid=1023310%5DTest">http://princetonreview.com/schools/college/CollegeAdmissions.aspx?iid=1023310]Test</a> Prep: GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, and More | The Princeton Review<a href="scroll%20down%20to%20Freshman%20Admissions%20Factors">/url</a></p>
<p>Most notably: Class Rank: Considered
Academic GPA: Considered </p>
<p>They do not place a considerable bearing on your GPA and rank. Don't sweat too much about that and instead focus on: </p>
<p>Rigor of Secondary School Record: Very important
Standardized Test Scores: Very important
Application Essay: Very important
Recommendation(s): Very important
Extracurricular Activities: Very important
Talent / Ability: Very important
Character / Personal Qualities: Important </p>
<p>Certainly, this does not mean to blow off your GPA. Continue pursuing a 4.0 if you can. Just make sure you pay attention to the other areas as well.</p>