So I just finished my junior year in high school and ended with a 3.466 GPA. I started with a 3.8 GPA from freshmen year and it has consistently been going down. Part of the reason why is because I took risks taking honors and APs. However, I regret those choices because I’ve only gotten Bs on those classes and this year I had a C in AP Bio and AP Physics. I really feel hopeless right now because the chances of me getting into a above average college is very slim. Every year I tried harder and spent more time studying with tutors yet I kept doing worse on tests and kept declining. I also can’t surpass a 30 in the ACT (I’m stuck with a 27). I do extracurricular activities such as the NHS and varsity swimming but I frankly don’t think it will do much in my application. My life long dream college was University of Washington in Seattle but now I am starting to doubt whether I’ll be waitlisted or not. I wanted to apply for their ROTC scholarship even that is iffy now (I want to become an Air Force pilot). My current GPA is the one I have to put down in the apps and it will not look good on me. My parents are absolutely furious about this dire situation. They have threatened to disown me. But that’s not an issue because I am planning to cut them off after high school because I am tired of their crap. So far I have been thinking of plan B which is to enlist in the Air Force and try to apply for UW after serving some years. I do not want to let go of U of W but getting accepted though college apps chances to almost nothing. There is no room to improve in my senior year since it’s too late. I am absolutely lost at the moment and need some advice. If there are any professionals such as a college/high school councilor, would you mind helping me in detail by messaging? If so, thank you. I am truly desperate at the moment.
Alright so first, don’t get your hopes down! You aren’t in the best position but it could certainly be a lot worse. A 27 is not perfect but its OK. Now, in an attempt to get the best possible qualifications you can, if I were you I would do this:
- Buckle down (and study really well) and take the ACT during fall of senior year - stressful but as long as you have taken it only twice so far, you’ll be okay and some people do this
- Take internships during the summer - you are at an advantage because you are a junior and many job offers are for juniors/seniors only so search the internet and there has to be something (I'd recommend a science oriented job i.e. a tutor since you seem to have taken AP science class)
- NHS is common and so are varsity sports. BUT you can apply to more clubs during senior year.
- Do Running Start! Take dual enrollment classes at a college during senior year! or (not sure of this is possible) during the summer!! - preferably at UW
- If there is another reason why the grades dropped, I believe (don't quote me on this but I read this before) that colleges take into account personal circumstances - i.e. for example, they understand that someone who takes 4 part-time jobs can't get a 4.0 and got a 3.5 and actually like that student more than someone who got a 4.0 w/ no hard circumstances
- Apply for any scholarship you can and see what happens, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take!
- Colleges like great essays. Write a great essay for your application and search up stuff like that when you sit down to write it.
- Have some safety schools, UW is a great school and you aren't completely out of the realm to qualify(!) but you do want some colleges where you're like "oh okay, I'd be happy here as well"
- Talk to your counselor (if they are good, hear from other students about that)~ his job is to help YOU get in and counsel you on your best options - with this in mind, build a good reputation with them because they will also most likely be in your application (they are required to write a recommendation I believe)
- If you do all of these things, you have the /potential to have these kind of qualifications:
36 on ACT
AP Classes
3 Classes at UW = GPA at UW is 4.0
Internships
4 Clubs and president of 2
Best of luck!
- I will be taking the ACT the coming Saturday and currently studying for it more since schools out.
- I am clueless about internships.
- I am already in 2 clubs.
- Not possible. Didn't apply to any for this summer and for senior year, my swim coach is very strict about missing practices so there's a schedule problem. (But I guess his iron fist helped us get into States).
- 2nd and 3rd quarter is when my grades plummeted. I always start out great in 1st quarter and finish good in the 4th. Swim season stretches from November to March and we had morning practices everyday from 5-7 in the morning. That really made me fatigue in school and take away time.
- Great idea.
- Been working on my essay. Chose an unusual topic but I like it and so far so good.
- Have already made a list of colleges to apply.
- I don't know... My councillors haven't given the most encouraging advice which is why I'm here.
Correct me if I’m wrong but are you implying that I shouldn’t consider plan B? Because I still feel pessimistic at the moment and seriously considering it.
Ah I see, and maybe not completely rule out internships because no one really knows much about them at first but the swimming thing makes sense - and oh no sorry for the misunderstanding, I meant that as “if you want to go to UW, maybe do this?” kinda option, Plan B is good too! I mean, if that’s available and you like it then there should be no issue with it.