<p>The last year of school I finished was my sophomore year. I got basically straight Bs in all honors classes. I didn't have much in the way of extracurricular activities, although I was on the debate team in 9th grade and the chess team in 10th grade. My major interest was foreign languages. Now I am spending a year studying in France, and I am fluent in French. I am 100% sure that I can get an A in any high school class if I put my mind to it. The only problem so far is that I didn't work hardly at all. For various reasons that I won't bother explaining, I've decided that I want to get into the best university possible.</p>
<p>When I get back, I am going to do the IB program and get straight As. With a perfect junior and senior year, is it possible for me to overcome my earlier mediocrity and get into a top school for Computer Science, such as MIT or Stanford? If so, what do I need to do, in the way of ECs and other preparation? If not, what are, in your opinion, my best options?</p>
<p>I am willing to consecrate every hour of the next few years of my life getting into the college of my choice, if needs be.</p>
<p>I think it would be unwise to assume that you are going to get perfect grades, especially in an IB program. </p>
<p>Before thrusting yourself into EC's see how your courseload is and then build on that. </p>
<p>But, if you do attain the necessary grades, and accomplish enough, you'll have a good chance. MIT and Stanford are amazing schools, but you should also look into other Comp. Sci. programs that may be near their level, yet easier to get into. It's not the end of the world if you don't get into a top school.</p>
<p>By the way, I see you're from Arizona, as am I. How are the CS programs at the University of Arizona and ASU? Do you know? If I don't get into a top school I could always go there.</p>
<p>I hear that the ASU program is pretty good and tough. People at the school work pretty hard. It is one of the best Tier 3 universitites for Computer Science.</p>
<p>UofA is also really good, but ASU beats it out by a smidgen.</p>
<p>The thing is, I actually have a decision to make. Either I do the IB program and try to get into a top school, or I can graduate after next year (having graduated in three years, not counting my year in France) and just go to the University of Arizona or ASU.</p>
<p>The chances of me getting into a top school will affect my choice.</p>
<p>BTW people say that Stanford doesn't count freshman grades. That policy would work in your favor.
Another idea would be to graduate early, go to U Az or ASU, and transfer to a top school if you have the grades.</p>
<p>It certainly would work in my favor, as the only Cs I've gotten were in freshman year. Anyway, does anyone have any good ideas of my actual chances?</p>
<p>I think the idea of graduating early and then doing as well as possible at an in-state university is a good one, and it's one I've been thinking a lot about myself. I believe it's the path I'm going to take, unless the other path has a good chance of getting me into a top school (which I'm starting to doubt).</p>
<p>If you feel you aren't capable of getting PERFECT grades...and then handling everything on top of that, then don't stress too much. Try as hard as you can, but if you get another C...or things aren't just working out, then just go to ASU and UofA and work your way up. </p>
<p>I really have no idea of your chances, but it would be a really cool application essay to talk about your experience in France...I mean, who does that?
If you do end up getting great grades for the rest of high school, apply to schools that don't count freshman grades, like Stanford or the Uc's...but then apply to the in-state as well, just in case. Who knows, you may get lucky, or they may see that you do deserve to study there. Hard to tell, but better to try, right?</p>
<p>Well, now that I've been rambling for a while, I'll just wish you luck.</p>
<p>Would my chances of getting into a top school as a transfer applicant be good if I have a great senior year in highschool and freshman year at a reasonably reputable state school like the U of A?</p>