sharp downward trend in grades

Applying to College
1

<p>I went through lots of problems that ended up with me getting rather bad grades junior year. Here are some of my advantages and disadvantages.</p>

<p>Basic information:
-I go to an elite public school in California (about 80-90 people get into UCLA). About 10-13 people get into Stanford.
-I'm asian (Korean).
-The ladies think I'm hot.</p>

<p>Positives
-I'm on a two-time national championship Science team (Science Olympiad).
-I have a friendly, intellectually interested, and funny personality that teachers like. I'm considered pretty unusual and quirky, which is an advantage, I guess... Teachers know that I am intelligent and creative.
-I'm pretty confident that I'm a person that colleges would look for. I'm an overall good guy.
-My SATI score is 2360 (subject to improvement), and my SATII scores will probably be upper 700s or 800.
-I have interesting stuff to talk about in my life.
-Very rigorous courseload (always took the hardest stuff possible, and even doubled up on science/math). (12 APs, IB Diploma, etc.)</p>

<p>Negatives
-Teachers will say that I have problems getting my homework done, and staying on task sometimes. (Something that I have improved upon...it will be addressed in the essays, probably).
-NEGATIVE trend in grades. Freshman year, I got straight A's, sophomore year, one B, but in junior year, 6 Bs and 1 C. I am planning on getting straight A's senior year though...that would make my UW GPA 3.8. Only counting academic classes in the sophomore and junior years...that would be 3.65 (lowest that a college would calculate it at). Weighted GPA is, for sophomore and junior years (the conservative estimate...it would be improved if freshman was counted, 4.55...ya I still took lots of tough courses...) I'll probably be at the very bottom of the top 10% of the class or at the top of the top 20%</p>

<p>Pretty much, my question is, is it worth my effort to apply to the elite schools? My test scores and ECs, personal qualities clearly qualify...but my downward trend negates a lot of that. Do people with 3.7 GPAs and downward trends get accepted at top colleges? (HYPS..etc.)</p>

<p>Additionally, what about Early Decision at a place like Columbia. Do ED really hate downward grade trends? For example, would the kinds of people that are accepted at Columbia ED and me fit well?</p>

<p>I'm not too worried, because I'm sure I'll still be accepted into the UCs, but I'd like to know my options. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>The chances of a kid from California getting into HYPSM and the other ivies etc., with your stats and without a hook are very slim.</p>

3

<p>Well, I don't like to see myself as a sum of my accomplishments, but rather as an individual...think about all of those people who haven't won a major award but came very close to...or are in the process of going toward a major goal in the senior year. The accomplishment hasn't happened yet, but the individual passion is...i hope</p>

4

<p>I was just browsing some things and I came across your post and you ARE me. The only difference is that Im from an elite school in North Carolina instead of California.</p>

<p>Im interested in how things worked out for you.</p>

<p>So…</p>

<p>howd things work out for you?</p>

5

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<p>Good idea…UCs are great!!!</p>