<p>i just graduated from high school with a really crappy GPA, like 2.3-but my problem was that i had a lot of problems at home. although i lived in an affluent area and very competitive environment i still didnt do as well, which sucked. anyway, i did really well with my e.c's, like debate i won some regional awards and i did DECA and got into the top 25 at internationals in my event, but i really wanna turn around and do well in the CCC im going to. but i had to do some courses to keep going in high school, and i have 9 units down with a C average, which really sucks, so my MAX grade will be 3.7, and i'm gonna work my ass off to get there.</p>
<p>my problem is im sure thats not enoguh to get into any ivy's, and i really have to do something totally outstanding-so i wanted to know, what looks really good for E.C's on an application? also, should i retake my SAT's? even with the new one out there? i got a 1320 so im really thinking of retaking it . i'm sure i'll do well next year, but i need advice. please-no harsh rebuking 'you're never going to get there', i know i have to think realistically, but i'm trying to do so with hope. thank you.</p>
<p>You should look for internships, research positions, or volunteer opportunities in the field of your interest. If your high schools ECs are any indication, you shouldn't have problems participating in great ECs for college. If you're looking at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT, you should probably try to up the SAT score and shoot for a 2100-2200. FYI Princeton doesn't accept transfers and I think MIT only accepts like 5 students (or some other ridiculously low number) every year. I'm not sure what type of schools you're looking for but UPenn and Cornell are good schools to add, both schools accept a lot more transfers than the ones you have listed above. Overall, I'd suggest applying for junior standing. Your high school GPA will be given less weight if you show improvement and have a strong academic record over the course of your freshman and sophomore years.</p>
<p>yeah i was thinking about applying for upenn and cornell, and also, my dad is upenn alumni but i dont think that will help at all during transfer.</p>
<p>I think you need to concentrate on GPA a lot more and possibly lower your transfer school goal. As you know, you need a great GPA and great EC to get into HYPSM. A great GPA with lousy EC will get you into some nice schools outside of HYPSM. A lousy GPA with great EC will get you into Podunk State or DeVry. GPA is priority number one. Jettison ECs if you need extra spare time to study and score a 3.7-4.0 GPA. Get As on every midterm from now on so you don't have to drop ECs and keep your HYPSM dreams alive.</p>
<p>Don't waste your time on those schools at this point. I graduated high school with a 2.7 GPA. I got a 1580 on my SATs and a 4.0 my freshmen year in college. Go U Penn, Brown, Cornell, Georgetown, ect. Don't limit yourself to the top 3.</p>