<p>So I screwed up big time during my freshman year of college. I withdrawed from 4 classes and received 4 F's all in the course of only 2 semesters (it was my fault, I was really really lazy). But since then I've changed my ways and have done a complete turn-around and have retaken most of those classes. I'm currently getting a 3.83 this semester with an 18 unit courseload and am determined to do just as well in the future. However, I want to go to grad school and know that my freshman year will hurt my chances of getting into one tremendously, if not completely. But what I want to know is: will I have a shot of getting into any grad school with my transcript from freshman year if I continue to do better academically until I graduate? Or should I not even bother consider applying to grad schools with my freshman grades despite my progress?</p>
<p>Keep doing well and no one will care. Really. I screwed up for two years and dropped out of college - and then came back and cleaned it all up. We're talking many, many Fs. No one cared. They know freshmen (and sometimes sophomores!) sometimes struggle. I ended up graduating magna cum laude and have done pretty well in graduate acceptances and funding.</p>
<p>Just don't do it again ;)</p>
<p>Grad school admissions are not like undergrad admissions DSP knows what he's talking about. And far more than in other areas, recs from a faculty member for whom you've done research as an undergrad can make a huge difference. So in addition to doing well the next few years, hook up (the old fashioned meaning...) with a faculty mentor and do a project.</p>