<p>Caltech is a definite no. They don’t even look at extracurricular activities. They go solely on GPA and test scores. Stanford rejects kids with better test scores and GPA, so that’s probably a no too. I think you could have a shot at Cornell. If you have rigorous courses next year and work to improve your GPA and have great letters of rec, then you could have a shot. I don’t think your school not sending someone to an ivy is really a disadvantage… I think with your income, schools will expect more from you. I face that same situation as well. </p>
<p>Why did you slack off junior year? This year was more important than any other. As for that chart you saw about GPA, 85 is DEFINITELY not a 4.0. Use this chart instead. <a href=“Calculate Your GPA With Our GPA Scale | The Princeton Review”>http://inquiry.princetonreview.com/leadgentemplate/GPA_popup.asp</a></p>