<p>I already posted this discussion in a different forum, but I decided to post it here, to get some more info in the university's forum. Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>Hello fellow CC'rs! I am sure that this question has been asked numerous times but I still have not received a concrete answer yet. I hope that you will not hold it against me for asking this question yet another time. I am a freshman in High School and I had a decent first semester grades of 95-96 in the most rigorous classes possible. (all honors.) However, I am afraid that my second semester grades have dropped a couple points, so I am expecting a something around a 93-94 as my final GPA for freshman year. As you can see from the title, my dream school is Princeton University and I am wondering if they will look down at this drop in my freshman year. I plan to take the most rigorous classes possible throughout my high school experience and I have a wide array of extra -curriculars. I have heard that some people say that Princeton does not use your Freshman year grades to count for your GPA. Can someone please advise me on this topic? Thank you for your taking your time to answer my questions!</p>
<p>Of all the four years, freshman year is probably least weighted as far as grades go. I am 100% sure they will not look down on your application for the minuscule change in GPA.
Don’t stress. You’re doing great. </p>
<p>Thank you, @romeonachos. Any other opinions?</p>
<p>Transcripts that I have seen only report a year end grade, so how would they know you dropped? Is your school’s transcript different? I have never heard that Princeton doesn’t use freshman grades.</p>
<p>How does your GPA compare to others at your school? 93-94 seems low to me for Princeton aspirations, but it depends on how harsh your grading is? If other kids have say 97-98 averages, that tells you something.</p>
<p>Our transcript shows both semester grades and then the final grade. The final grade is what goes into the cumulative gpa. It is the final grade that I am worried about though. I am at a small school, with about 50 kids in my grade, and I think that we may have only one or two people getting the kinds of grades you mentioned in all honors classes. </p>
<p>Your GPA remains in the A range so you would be considered a viable candidate from that perspective. I would encourage you not to obsess about small to moderate fluctuations in grades. You are quite likely to see a few of those in your high school career. </p>
<p>There is much, much more to a Princeton application than your high school grades. EC’s, essays, leadership roles and accomplishments outside of the classroom will bear greater weight on your application than your marks if they are within the top range of your school and your classes are rigorous. You have a long road ahead…try to pace yourself in how much emotional energy you use in projecting possible college plans. Even perfect marks and test scores do no guarantee you a spot in the most selective schools. Go easy! </p>
<p>Pianology, don’t worry. What has happened is done. Nothing you can do about it. Your focus needs to be on what’s coming up. Keep in mind, a 4.0 is no guarantee for admissions to Princeton. When the time comes, apply and put your best foot forward.</p>