Trying to get in to Occidental, any hope?

<p>I have a 3.3 GPA, a 1970 SAT. I've taken mostly IB courses my entire highschool career.</p>

<p>My freshman GPA was a 2.8, my parents divorce really screwed me up mentally and my grades fell a lot.</p>

<p>My sophomore GPA was a 3.6</p>

<p>My Junior GPA was a 3.7</p>

<p>I also run track and would be a top runner on the team if I was admitted. </p>

<p>Do you guys think I have any chance of making it in to the school? It's my mom's alma mater so I would really like to go there.</p>

<p>Have you made contact with the coaches?
Would you consider applying ED?</p>

<p>My daughter was accepted (she applied regular decision) and she’s a runner. Her GPA was 3.67; her best best best SAT scores all added up to 2080. She had at least one C+ on her transcript.</p>

<p>She had been in touch with one of the women’s coaches, then she met two of them when she visited (after she got in). She also met some male runners. They all seemed nice and friendly. </p>

<p>I think you have a shot, especially if you apply ED. Plus you’re a legacy. </p>

<p>Question is (and I got slammed for asking this once before) – do you “explain” the bad year or does that just draw attention to it. I guess you could allude to the upheaval in your essay or some other personal statement and they can put two and two together.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>