I haven’t done well in school in the last two years. (Note: I am a sophomore this year). I got 4 B+'s sophomore year. I am getting B’s and C’s this year in AP/honors (but final grades are uncertain atm). The only good thing I got going for me is straight A’s freshman year and A’s in the past three math classes I’ve taken. My best SAT is 1970, so I’m retaking this month. But the grades are no where close to what I had aspired for. I’m President of Community Service Club and Rotary Interact, but other than that, I have no sports/music credibility. Will I even be able to get into UC Berkeley, Duke, Georgia Tech, JHU at this rate or am I just trying to kid myself? My greatest regret is not being able to do the things I wanted to accomplish before I get into college.
Those specific colleges may or may not be in your future. If they aren’t, there are thousands of other possible colleges. Do you know what you want to study in college? There are many paths to success. Do your best, learn as much as you can, enjoy high school and when it’s time to apply to colleges, look for colleges that fit you and your career goals, regardless of their names.
Those schools don’t seem likely but if you expand your horizons you will find many other excellent options out there that fit your academic profile. You can try using the supermatch function to the left (under find a college).
“Even be able to” …
I may be misinterpreting your remarks but it sounds like you think you might be forced to “settle” for a school like Duke. I think you need to be reminded that Duke is a top 10 school that has been among the most selective universities in the country for decades. JHU, Berkeley and Georgia Tech are also very selective and prestigious.
You sound exceedingly arrogant for someone with mediocre grades and test scores.
@NerdyChica I’m not trying to come across as arrogant, but mediocre grades don’t settle you anywhere in the competitive school district that I come from where there are many students who have better grades and very high test scores. It’s not like I’m not trying, but I’m just struggling to fit in to the competitive environment where a large majority of the students are aiming for the ivies. I know these grades and test scores won’t get me anywhere - even if they’re mediocre I won’t be able to go to schools like Duke. I don’t wan’t to go to the schools I mentioned because of their rep, but because they are places where I believe I can get the resources to do the things I haven’t been able to do in my high school career.
Are you sure that those schools would help you get what you need? Correct me if I’m wrong but it sounds like you are having a hard time being in a competitive school district, so why would you want to choose some of the most competitive colleges in the country if you’re struggling in a competitive high school district? If you’re chasing prestige that makes sense but otherwise given what you have said it doesn’t sound like those schools would be a great fit. There’s no shame in not getting into a school of that caliber as they’re so competitive. I would focus on looking at other schools with a less competitive atmosphere where you might be able to thrive. There are plenty of colleges that would be happy to have a student of your caliber but it’s up to you to find them. Best of luck too you.
There are hundreds of great schools that you would do well in. You are a sophomore in high school and probably have never even heard of 80% of the great schools. Why not focus on being a great student now and doing all the things you can to grow into the great adult you want to be. Forget the college game for now. There is no reason to bother with it except to take tests as needed. Do all the things from here on that you think will help you grow into the best person you can be. Then, in a year, start reading about colleges and talk with your guidance counselor and all that. Now is too early to do anything but re-focus on high school and involved yourself in classes and activities that will help you develop into the best adult possible.
There are 3000 colleges in the USA…there is one for you.
Will you get into UC Berkeley, Duke, Georgia Tech, JHU ? probably not
WIll you get into a wonderful school where you will fit in academically and socially? YES
What AP classes are you taking? Maybe sophomore year was too early for you…AP classes are equivelent to college classes after all. YOu want to challenge yourself but not over do it.
Don’t worry about your sophomore year SAT…take it again at the end of junior year.
What do you want to accomplish before college?
You seem to be biting off more than you can chew. Take a reasonable amount of ap courses and don’t worry about your sat until the end of junior year or early senior year. I didn’t even think of what colleges I wanted to go to until the end of junior year and had a reasonable expectation of where I’d have a shot at. If all you care about is where you’re going to go to school college is going to eat you alive, especially the ones you’ve listed.
My kids attended a very competitive high school. Eldest son is smart and capable. He scored less than you on the SAT and graduated top 15%. He ended up not going out of state to his "dream school’ and the decision came so late (mid February) admissions to state schools left him limited for choice. He was accepted to a school in state sight unseen but a heard of school. It is not the most competitive admissions but he is thriving. He is a big fish there. Not that the rest are stupid by any means, it is just a great place for kids who are smart but don’t thrive in the uber competitiveness of some universities. There is a college out there for you where you will fit in and thrive. It does not have to be a big name to offer you challenge and growth.
“My greatest regret is not being able to do the things I wanted to accomplish before I get into college.”
@jyang2136 , what exactly are those things that you want to accomplish before you get into college? Your OP gives no clue about them. Surely there is more to life than getting better grades and SAT scores. What inspires you?
It sounds to me like you are caught up in the rat race of a competitive HS, and you aren’t winning that game. Don’t keep playing it. Forget about colleges for now - you’re only a sophomore. Focus on your life, and on doing those things that you want to accomplish in the next 2 1/2 years. You’ll get in somewhere, and there are tons of good schools. And college isn’t the end of life. You may just need more time to develop yourself and your interests. But right now it sounds like you’re too busy chasing some imaginary rainbow of college acceptance to focus on what really matters.
From your own description you are not capable of competing in a highly competitive environment. The schools you listed are pretty much out of reach. You will not be a failure in life if you go to your state flagship.