Really bad sophomore year?

<p>Ok so I'm usually a very good student, average about top 25 of my class, but this year (my sophomore year) I had a lot of bad family things happen, on top of being harassed very badly throughout the entire year.
My grades went from the usual A's and high B's to C's, D's and even an F or two on some quarter grades (which don't count to our GPA).</p>

<p>I want to go to good colleges, but I'm afraid that this will ruin my chance.
My courseload isn't easy, all advanced/AP classes, and thats what it will be like for the rest of my high school career.</p>

<p>With my sophomore year in the dumps, is there any chance to get into a good college?</p>

<p>Colleges I'm considering:
University of Florida/Florida State
NYU (my longshot college)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Michigan</p>

<p>and a few other randoms.</p>

<p>When you do apply to colleges next year, there is usually a place for you to talk about family problems that may have affected your performance over a specific year. Do your best next year, and I’m sure the colleges will look more heavily at that.</p>

<p>I suggest that when the time comes you share the information about your family difficulties with your guidance counselor. The counselor can include the info in his/her recommendation report. Colleges are sometimes willing to overlook a grade dip if there is a legit reason for it. However, it is important to make sure that your junior year grades reflect your true capabilities.</p>

<p>Thank you both. (:</p>

<p>I’ve talked a little bit about it with my counselor, but I can’t always get in to see her (really big school, and she pretty much runs everything. Dx)
But I’m planning on kicking butt in my next two years to show what I really can do.</p>

<p>This year did ruin my GPA possibilities though, but if I get all A’s my next two years my average GPA between the 3 can be a 4.1-4.2 weighted GPA. (My GPA this year is a 3.2 weighted)</p>

<p>Do you think it would help that I’m really (and I mean REALLY) involved with everything?
My ec’s are: (up to this point)
Student council (2 years)
Knowledge bowl (2 years)
Orchestra (2 years)
Speech (2 years)
Chamber orch (1 year)
Lots of volunteering and more activities/clubs within school.</p>

<p>You can take summer classes which replace your old credits with new ones depending on your school policy.</p>

<p>I’m also a sophomore, upcoming junior. I had a very bad freshman year. My GPA went up two points after one semester, I expect the same this semester. Just work very hard next year, junior year is the most important. You may want to drop down a level. I dropped to college prep math from honors and that was my GPA killer. Good Luck! </p>

<p>NYU is my top choice as well, but NYU is very different compared to your other choices. NYU has no campus and not as much team spirit. It’s also very urban.</p>

<p>If you are still in high school now, you can do it like straight A and you will be fine, if not, Try community College then transfer to the university you like. This always works. Just get at least 3.5 GPA in Community College</p>

<p>@Early College- Yeah, I was considering dropping down to College Prep math as well. Its a .5 GPA difference, but I KNOW I wouldn’t get an A in pre-calc, and I think it’d be easier with my schedule.</p>

<p>I agree with several other posters - I think that if you explain about your family situation in the “additional information” section, and talk to your GC, it can help. If you don’t mind me asking, when you say “harrassment,” was it severe enough to result in a disciplinary issue? I also think that that could be something that you bring up.</p>

<p>Good luck! Are any of these state schools for you? That’ll make them easier to get into.</p>

<p>Which school at Minnesota are you applying to? It might be difficult for you to get into the science based school or the Carlson school of business, but certainly possible to get into the Liberal Arts school.</p>