My current GPA isn’t that great. It’s a 3.6784 on a 4 point scale. I’m currently a sophomore. I do a couple of unique extracurriculars as well as volunteer. What should I do between now and the time I apply to greatly improve my chances of getting into Princeton or another Ivy League school?
Viable applicants to the country’s most selective schools have outstanding GPAs in very rigorous courses. Are you on track to take the toughest courses offered by your HS? And will you get mostly As in them? Seemingly not? Regardless, you should drop this quest for “Ivy League” school and instead, focus on maximizing your academic potential.
The topmost scholars in your HS: are you like them? Why or why not? Has your school successfully had Ivy-type admits? What did they look like? In conversations about the top group of students in the soph class, is your name included?
Is the 3.7GPA a clear indication of your ability? If so, that’s fine. Nothing wrong with that. But if it’s your being lazy w/p-sets, homework, studying for exams – then you have some maturing to do. Ask yourself: do you LIKE to learn new things? In your Junior and Senior years, you’ll take your most rigorous courses. Your plan to get all As in them ready? And you can’t neglect prepping for ACT/SAT as well.
Your academic achievement will dictate the sorts of colleges you eventually should target. But at this point, know that chasing the “ivy” title isn’t beneficial for you at all. I recruit for an Ivy: I tell audiences that if they’re among the topmost students in the recent history of their respective high schools, they might be a viable applicant.
I’m so very sorry for not replying earlier. I was under the impression that no one replied. My school is extremely academically oriented, and I have been taking the toughest courses. They do cater to my interests as well. A large percent of the students at my school go to the top ranked universities in America. I have had various leadership positions last year, including Student Council President, and the president of a couple clubs that have advanced globally in competitions. I have almost straight As. I slacked off somewhat freshman year, and I’m eager to make up for it junior year. I’m also vigorously aiming for a 1490 at least on the PSATs. I will have completed over 20 AP courses by the time I graduate. I also do several ECs. Am I at least on the right track? Thank you so much, and I’m extremely sorry for the late reply!
I just realized my GPA was a 3.6 by my school’s scale which is different. By the official CollegeBoard scale, it’s a 4.0!