<p>I am a rising junior at a good (but public) high school. I would like to get into an Ivy League or NESCAC school (or another highly competitive college). I am very bright (or at least have been told so) and have always tested at the very top for all standardized tests, etc (I have a predicted ACT score of 34). However, I really messed up my grades simply by not doing the homework and being lazy during freshman and sophomore year, and currently have a 91% unweighted GPA (my school does not calculate using the 4.0 scale). If I work super hard during junior year and show a drastic improvement in grades (as opposed to the common decline in grades during junior year) do you think I would still have a shot at Yale, Weslyan, etc? My extracurriculars are OK, I will have been a highly competitive rower for 6 years by the time I graduate (that took up most of my time), as well as part of many honor societies, academic league, etc.</p>
<p>BTW I have grandparent legacy at Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Smith, but both my parents went to colleges that I don't feel interested in (state schools).</p>
<p>Maybe your grandparents can help you but the fact remains in schools that competitive, your 9th and 10th grade (the latte more than the former, but this isn’t my point) matter more than your average UC or private school.</p>
<p>How bad were you grades…were they like a 3.0? A 2.3? Some people would say a 3.9 is bad (which is ridiculous), but we don’t really know your standards.</p>
<p>That being said, if by “bad” you mean in the 2.7 - 3.3 range, then yes you’ll be at a noticeable disadvantage. Remember you’re competing with people with 4.0s and 2300 SATs and god knows how many APs.</p>
<p>Unless you have a valid excuse (like a family tragedy) or amazing ECs to make up for those 2, it looks pretty bad. Sorry if I sound mean, but currently, thats just how it is… colleges are getting even more competitive.</p>
<p>Put it this way: Why should Ivy league adcoms admit you over 4.0 students with great ECs? What qualities do you have that make you stand out over such students?</p>
<p>By “bad” I mean a 3.8</p>
<p>You don’t deserve to be on CC.</p>
<p>If a 3.8 is considered bad, then I’m pretty damn lucky to get out of the admissions process by 2015.</p>
<p>You’re not worthy of an Ivy @savvidavvi </p>
<p>@tryhardalay Again, what is your problem?</p>
<p>i hope @tryhardalay is being sarcastic</p>
<p>I was being sarcastic everyone has a chance at an ivy I wasn’t being serious. You guys need to take it easy. @guineagirl96 @sallymeno11 can you PLEASE stop tagging me @sallymeno11 </p>
<p>Of course he can get it in he has a legacy and he improved in grades. He has a good chance!! @guineagirl96 please STOP tagging me I’m asking nicely. It is not I who has the problem. It’s you because you are stalking me @sallymeno11 </p>
<p>Haha you really need to calm down. Not everyone gets that sarcasm. You have to realize–you’re on a website. Just be more conscientious about what you post. </p>
<p>Lol stalking? A touch of exaggeration huh…</p>
<p>You are probably just an 8th grade ■■■■■. Be more conscientious, and I’ll stop “stalking” you…</p>
<p>I’m very sorry, I’ll try to be more conscientious next time. We got into a big misunderstanding. @sallymeno11 </p>
<p>You are a rising Junior. That means all your grades so far are from freshmen and sophomore. With an average of 91%, I assume you have half of the grades below 91% (B) and half above (A) if they are not too far away from your average grade, your GPA would be around 3.5 right now. If you get all As in Junior, your GPA will go up to around 3.67 by the time of college application. It is not really competitive with this GPA even for some top 50 schools. However, if you do get a great ACT score and take very rigor course in Junior with great GPA, that would help your chance at many schools within the top 50. Ivies would be a far reach.</p>
<p>HYS are very difficult schools to get into. In fact, I’m trying to get into one of those three myself :). Try to make your ECs stand out. You have a year to show your passion. Use your time wisely. Also, try to get 34-35 on the ACT. Good luck! </p>