<p>So my Freshman year I did really well in all my classes and ended my first year with a 4.06 unweighted GPA (this is because an A+ = 4.4). Towards the end of my Freshman year I got in over my head and decided to take 3 AP classes, and needless to say, I got owned. This was partly due to poor course scheduling where I had all three of my AP classes and Honors Chinese the same day (90 minute blocks of each class). I know this is not an extraordinary schedule by any means and a lot of CCers have equal (if not more) rigorous schedules, but this was my first year of APs and I was extremely exhausted and tired throughout the entire semester and would get on average 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night. My parents weren't exactly helpful either and made this whole ordeal much much worse (not something I want to go into detail about, but is it worth noting to someone like a counselor?) and I live very far from school, so I get home late and have to wake up early. Long story short, I finished my Sophomore year sitting at a 3.93 weighted GPA. This has been annoying me because I know that my stupid decision led to an uncountable number of unfortunate events that drove my GPA down into oblivion.</p>
<p>My question is this: if I get my GPA up to about a 3.98 weighted, will that give me a chance at Yale? I have good ECs that are both unique and show my deep understanding and love for politics and debate. I'm also predicting a 2250+ SAT, as I've been scoring around there in practice tests. </p>
<p>Couple things to note: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>I go to an international school in Asia that sends a sizable amount of students to Ivies/T20 schools. My school also doesn't rank, but provides the # of students sitting in a certain GPA range. I sit at roughly top 20-15%. </p></li>
<li><p>Also, I got 3 Bs and 1 B+ Sophomore year. Two of the the three Bs I got were in the first semester (both classes were APs), but I ended up scoring a 5 on both AP exams. I also showed progression going from 2 Bs and a B+ my first semester to 1 B in an honors class second semester (this was because I was constantly out of school and my teacher basically didn't let me take half the tests because I was out of school, but such is life)</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Forgot to mention, Yale is my top choice (which almost goes without saying) and if I do somehow get in, I’d major in E,P&E, Economics, Political Science or Sociology</p>
<p>Just look at your school’s history. Are students in the top 15-20% range typically admitted to top schools? Chances are they aren’t, and while that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t get in if you have great ECs and great essays, it does indicate that your grades are probably not that great for Yale. If students in that range have been admitted to Yale, then you probably go to a very good school; in that case, focus on essays and best of luck :)</p>
<p>Our school has had three Yale acceptances in recent years. One was the valedictorian, so his GPA was obviously Yale standards. The second sat at slightly above a 4.0, but she was a legacy and the third one had a lower GPA than me, but there were many questions in his acceptance (like whether or not his parent donated money)</p>
<p>bump bump bump bump bump</p>
<p>Chill out and do your best for junior year. You can’t change what has already happened. It definitely doesn’t preclude you from getting into Yale, as long as you’ve got the ECs, junior year grades, and AP scores to back everything up.</p>
<p>PS Love of politics and debate is not unique. I hope you have an edgier theme than that.</p>
<p>@scaryfiredemon – I do realize that politics/debate is not unique, but the things/initiatives that I’m part of in regards to politics/debate are special (or so I feel). For instance, one of the things I’m working on at the moment is the world’ first online MUN conference(s) and we are already affiliated with THIMUN (which as you may know is the most well known MUN organization) and we have been successful in both rapidly expanding and organizing debates.</p>
<p>I guess you’re right though – all hope is not lost. It’s still possible to get my GPA above the 4.0 threshold, but its going to be one insane year (not like that’s different for anyone else)</p>
<p>I would say that your GPA isn’t going to keep you out. B ut the bigger question is what is going to get you in? It is tough and just do your best and apply to a number of schools along with safeties</p>
<p>I honestly think that I have pretty solid ECs, just look a few posts up for an example. Of course there is no distinction between good and bad ECs (generally speaking), but I’ve worked hard at the things I enjoyed while maintaining an open mind to try new things-- something that I think is reflected well on my overall resume. I guess my Junior year is going to be dedicated mainly to maintaining/solidifying a good relationship with my teachers (for recs) and working on my GPA. I’ve calculated what I need to get back into the top 5% and it’s definitely not impossible but it’s a huge challenge nonetheless.</p>