<p>What constant an upswing in grades?</p>
<p>Would a kid whose grades were good in freshman year, declined slightly in sophmore year, declined completely in junior year and then were better than before (better than freshman year) have a chance?
At which schools would they have a chance?</p>
<p>Any information is appreciated! Please be nice!</p>
<p>Bump! Still looking for answers!</p>
<p>Well, it would look pretty unpredictable. But I don’t think your chances would be completely obliterated.</p>
<p>How bad was your junior year anyway?</p>
<p>Let’s just say I was very, very close to failing out this year.</p>
<p>Wow. You do know that that places you beneath even the most average of high school students, right?</p>
<p>Do you have a legitimate reason for this negative grade trend?</p>
<p>Some school don’t use senior grades. A lot of applications are due before first semester senior grades come out.</p>
<p>Okay, I guess than for these purposes assume I’ll be applying exclusively or primarily to schools that will be able to see my senior grades.</p>
<p>No. I don’t have a legitimate reason.</p>
<p>You’re kinda screwed, dude. Sorry.</p>
<p>OK, fair enough.
Question, though. My school suggested I see a therapist because teachers were saying they thought I was depressed. If I go see a therapist and it turns out I am and that was the cause of my grades slipping then does that help my case?</p>
<p>Maybe. If you’re actually depressed.</p>
<p>I have a friend who’s in the same situation as you, except his was because of Facebook.</p>
<p>I believe you have to show you OVERCAME obstacles.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>'Tis true.</p>
<p>Alright, I’ll look into it.
So if I can explain away junior year, and I up swing senior year, what are my match schools?
My SAT is 2040, btw.</p>
<p>Edit:^^exactly but that would be the upswing (if i can manage it) in senior year.</p>
<p>I don’t know. How rigorous is your senior schedule? If it’s not at least as tough as your junior schedule, things will be even more complicated.</p>
<p>Hypothetically. For example if you were a 3.8 freshman, a 3.9 sophomore, then a 3.0 junior, then treatment by your therapist, supporting note by your GC, and your 1st semester senior year was a 4.0.by Jan 15th (one of the latest deadlines), that might work. Of course, course rigor would be factored in.</p>
<p>It should be tougher. I don’t get my schedule until September but it should go something like this:
English
History
Independent History Research
Calculus I
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Latin
Advanced Physics</p>
<p>Compared to my simple junior year:
English
History
Trig/Analysis
Physics
Latin</p>
<p>Additionally my scores on the ACT have been higher during practice tests (~33) so I will end up taking it this fall.</p>
<p>If you show a strong recovery in your first-term senior grades, you will have a chance, but I don’t think your boards are quite spectacular enough to compensate for poor grades at the most selective colleges. Your strengths appear to be math and science, and you apparently passed Trig, even if your grade wasn’t anything great. When you said that you were in danger of “failing out,” I inferred that you are in a private school. Do you have a good rapport with a counselor/adviser or the college guidance counselor? Do you have one or two teachers that will write good recommendations? Their reports will probably count for more than a psych evaluation, and won’t send up any red flags. Some schools have good relationships with certain colleges, and a good word from them, especially if you really are on the “upswing,” can make a difference. Otherwise, look at smaller colleges (especially if you aren’t seeking a lot of financial aid) where your geographical region or high school seldom, if ever, send students - do not apply where all the students (presumably with higher GPAs) in your class are applying. You’re obviously a bright kid, capable of doing well, and some colleges will take a chance on you, especially if your SATs boost their stats.</p>
<p>Yes, my rapport with my college counselor is pretty good and I do have a few teachers that I think I can rely on for a good recommendation.
Is there anything else I can do at this point?</p>
<p>I doubt you have an Ivy league chance but many top flagships and state schools will welcome you. Many private colleges will want you too.</p>
<p>Make sure you’re actually depressed, though. You probably won’t care, but I will lose all respect for you if you lie on your essay about that…</p>