What should I do now? Please read/answer!

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Ok, so I've noticed that my making of hypothetical chance-me threads isn't doing anything for me. I need to know what I as a sophomore can do NOW to increase my chances of getting into Princeton EA.</p>

<p>Sophomore grades, so far:
Honors Chemistry: B/A (really hard class, even the top students have B-'s)
Spanish II (Honors isn't offered): A/A
Honors Wold History: A/A
Honors American Literature: A/A
Psychology (Elective): A/A
Religion (Required): A/A
Geometry (this is what kills me): C/A</p>

<p>1.) I took the PSAT in October, and received an absurdly low score that does not reflect my abilities/potential in any way. The day I took the test, I was a complete mess (sleep deprived, crying hysterically on the way to school, didn't study at all, severe test anxiety, the list goes on..) and I think my guidance counselor must now think that I'm stupid or something. Should I explain my score to him, or should I just not say anything? </p>

<p>2.) So, you're probably wondering about my math situation. I'll be honest by saying that the grade I received is a grade that I earned. I was a little lazy last semester. I didn't study too much for math, I have a terrible teacher, and didn't pay attention. I mean I took notes, but my mind was somewhere else. This semester, I have an entirely different mind-set. I have a tutor now (100x better than my teacher), I pay attention, study, ..yeah. I am definitely not getting another C, that's for sure. Will that really hurt my chances for Princeton, even if I get straight A's from here on out?</p>

<p>Those are my only problems. I understand that if I quit it with being lazy and giving in to my OCD, that I can get straight A's (which is what I have now.) </p>

<p>I'll graduate with 8/9 AP's offered, 10 Honors classes, and really cool/unique ECs (some work with National Geographic, etc). Assuming I keep straight A's from now on, I'll have a cumulative GPA of 3.94/4.4</p>

<p>I'm not taking the PSAT or the SAT ever again. I'm just going to take the ACT (took a practice test and scored really high, tbh) and SAT Subject tests.</p>

<p>You're probably thinking something along the lines of "not looking too good for a Princeton applicant" or "oh, pretty rough start". So maybe I'm not an AIME 4x qualifier or Intel Finalist or whatever, but I can assure you that I have a lot to offer to Princeton. I'm capable of sooo much more than what my transcript currently shows, and as the years go on, I'll make sure that Princeton knows that. My passions include writing, fingerstyle guitar, reading about the arctic/antarctic, and photography.</p>

<p>What I'm really wondering is just...what should I do as of now? What would you do in my situation? I can't stop thinking about this and it's driving me INSANE so I reallyyyy need advice/help. I'll stop with all of these stupid threads if people would just talk to me...</p>

<p>Thank you all very much for your time. </p>

<ul>
<li>Brooke</li>
</ul>

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<p>They look at your application holistically so don’t worry. Grades aren’t everything.</p>

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<p>microphakia but what should I do about the PSAT score?</p>

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<p>Hi upennvetgirl, did you take timed practice tests in advance? If not, do that so that you will be relaxed. Also, better a C to an A then an A to a C… the rest of your profile very strong. PS. Add several test optional schools to your list just in case.</p>

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<p>Just keep practicing and taking practice tests. By the way if you want more help just look at the sat threads, they’re really helpful in terms of what books to get etc. Also search for the xiggi guide and silverturtle guide, it also helps because it breaks down everything you need to learn in a simple manner. Follow the advice above and you’ll be good</p>

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<p>forthree - I just bought Barron’s ACT Prep book, and I also have the CB Blue Book, PR SAT USH Subject test prep, and Kaplan’s PSAT prep 2012. is that all right?
“…did you take timed practice tests in advance?” - before I took the PSAT? No, I didn’t study at all before I took the PSAT…stupid, I know. I don’t like how the PSAT/SAT is made. I like how the ACT is straightforward. …thank you! :)</p>

<p>microphakia - thanks! </p>

<p>Just wondering though…should I talk to my guidance counselor about my scores? I know that he must think that I’m stupid or something…and I want to explain myself. He knows that I want to go to an Ivy, and after seeing my score, he probably thinks that I have no chance. But he has no idea how much of a disaster that day was…</p>

<p>what should I say?</p>

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<p>take a math class over the summer to catch up to everyone</p>

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<p>You should definitely not worry about a PSAT score ruining your chances for college. Colleges don’t even look at those, unless you are a national merit finalist.
Also, there are many students who do awful on the PSAT for a number of reasons, such as the ones you mentioned. My aunt was one of them. Even though she had close to a 4.0 G.P.A (like 3.9 close not 3.5 close), she did awful on her SAT’s. Worse than you, I’m sure. She managed to get into duquense, and again had close to a 4.0, but she barely passed her PCAT’s She is now a succesful pharmacist. This goes to show that some people are just bad test takers, and that standardized tests, while they are good knowledge markers, are not always the best markers for intelligence. I’m sure that if your guidance counselor has any experience at all with students he will understand that, and try to help you with your test troubles. </p>

<p>That C in geometry could be an Ivy killer for you, especially if it was during sophomore year. Some colleges might not look at your freshman year, but most will look at your sophomore year. The thing to remember is that it COULD be an Ivy killer for you, but you just might make it in if you have straight A’s, lots of good (and unique) extracurriculars (that national geographic one sounds cool) with eadership positions in some, and a killer application essay, which I believe you could do. If you wrote about what you could bring to a college (try not to make it too specific) in your essay, and had multiple people read it and give suggestions, then I would say that you have a chance. However, you should definitely apply to some safeties. </p>

<p>However, you do not have to worry about applying to college for a couple years. What I would do now is talk to your guidance counselor, and explain your situation (I’m sure he’ll understand) and continue to keep your grades up. Stop worrying about college for now- the time will come for you to prepare for college. Worrying now will only interfere with your grades and social life - so live your life as a sophomore now and deal with college at the appropriate time.</p>

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<p>

You answered yourself, didn’t you? You can’t do anything about the grades you’ve received already. You can improve and do better on all your current and future classes. You can make sure you emphasize your passion for EC’s and write great essays. That’s what’s going to matter.</p>

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<p>Wow, joy, that is truly an inspirational story! I feel a lot better now after reading that story. It really adds to my mood, because while I was in the bookstore buying my ACT Prep book, I looked in the PR SAT Book for fun…and they wrote that the SAT measures how well you take the SAT; and that it doesn’t measure the stuff that matters. :slight_smile: So I’m so over the PSAT score. </p>

<p>And I really hope that the C in Geometry doesn’t kill me. It probably will though, since it’s a standard class. But I read on a thread somewhere that someone got into Cornell with “…4 C’s and even more B’s.” So maybe I’ll be lucky. That one grade doesn’t reflect who I am…and I want them to know that. I know for a fact that Princeton doesn’t consider freshman grades, so maybe this grade won’t hurt me too much…</p>

<p>What about these for safeties?

  • CUNY City College
  • Any one of the SUNY’s</p>
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<p>How about the university-transfer thing? Say I apply EA to Princeton and get rejected…should I go to a small/cheap school…say…Salem State (I’ll do anything to get out of Florida) for a year or something and then transfer? </p>

<p>Other people that I’ve spoken to say that I’m fine though (about the C in Geom)…but I don’t know…</p>

<p>I hope that I don’t sound crazy…but this is what consumes me every day and making these threads is like a compulsion. Sorry :S</p>

<p>Bump!</p>

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<p>We’re sort of in a similar position. I received a C in Algebra II; however, that was because I switched into a regular Algebra II class from an honors Algebra II class just two and a half weeks before semester ended, so they did not raise my C which should have been a B in a regular course (since that grade was earned in the honors curriculum). I’m not looking at Ivy’s though.</p>

<p>Transferring could be a good option. Just make sure the school you want isn’t too tight belt about transfers. I’m not sure on Princeton, but I know some schools I was looking at have very low numbers in terms of allowed transfers.</p>

<p>Just work on other areas of your application. I’m making up for my blemishes through my really exceptional extracurriculars!</p>