Really need some reassurance

<p>Hello, all.</p>

<p>I am currently a senior and a minority (black/hispanic) at top five LAC. During my first year (sciences), I had great marks (3.5). However, sophomore year, I had a plethora of things happen, including:</p>

<ul>
<li>parents divorcing</li>
<li>breaking my wrist on my writing hand two wks before finals (1st semester)</li>
<li>injuring my shoulder and knee on a skating accident (second semester)</li>
</ul>

<p>I also took primarily science courses this year as well. My grades for my sophomore year were Two Ws (incl. a lab), an NC, a C-, and an A.</p>

<p>Despite this, I've held high positions in organizations on campus and have received grants to do research over the past two summers. Within my major (Sociology), I also have a 4.0. Given that my GPA within my major is a 4.0, despite my low GPA (3.3), to what extent will this hinder me when I apply to grad schools? I want to pursue a career in education and be a professor. I know its quite competitive. I'm also at my current school on a full-ride (low income), if that would count for anything.</p>

<p>Also, here's something-- before I came to college, I took college courses at an accredited college. My school gave me credit towards them, but did not count the letter grades because of their policy. However, in applying to grad schools, can I factor these in, given that these were actual college courses from a university? Those courses would def. boost my GPA up.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>I think your GPA won’t be a problem if you have a high GRE score, lots of research experience, and solid LOR. Good luck!</p>

<p>No. Nothing prior to college counts.</p>

<p>If your sophomore year looks like a blimp on your transcript as a whole, then I wouldn’t worry too much. You might want to mention all this to your adviser though. It’s the junior and senior years that really count.</p>

<p>Graduate School (as in non-professional degrees) do not care about your extracurriculars, only research experience.</p>