<p>I'm a junior at a high school in California. Due to the death of my sister and medical problems, my freshman year GPA is terrible with roughly a 2.0 both semesters while my sophomore grades are not that better with a 3.0 both semesters. I've realized that I need to get better grades and I have a 4.0 (4.6 if you count AP classes) for the first semester of my junior year. </p>
<p>Here are my grades so far throughout high school (single grade means that was my grade both semesters): </p>
<p>Freshman (Semester 1/2):
Geometry: D
English: B
Biology: D/C
PE: B
Journalism: A
Spanish 1: D</p>
<p>Sophomore (Semester 1/2):
Geometry: B
Pre-AP English 10: A
Chemistry: C
PE: D
Journalism: A
AP European History: B (Got a 3 on the exam at the end of the year) </p>
<p>Junior (Semester 1):
Algebra II: A
AP English Lit: A
AP US History: A
AP Environmental Science: A
AP Psychology: A
Spanish 1: A </p>
<p>PSAT Score: 210 </p>
<p>In the event that I get the same grades during second semester, what chance do I have at going to a good college? I have no idea what my cumulative GPA is at the moment, let alone what it would be at the beginning of senior year. Regarding extracurriculars, I was my class representative to our school site council last year and a student senator but I am no longer this year (we switch out). I'm also an intern at our local Congressman's district office and have developed a close relationship with the Congressman and his staff (and he has told me he is willing to write a rec letter if I'd like). </p>
<p>Possible hooks:
URM (Registered Native American)
First Generation College Student </p>
<p>What schools do I think I should focus my attention on? I'd like to purse International Relations so I'd love to go to schools such as Georgetown but I'm sure that I'd never be accepted there with my grades. </p>
<p>Well, you definitely have the upward trend; however, I don’t know if it’ll be enough for a school like Georgetown. You really need to get onboard with your test scores, though. The PSAT score of 210 is promising (way better than I ever got). So I advise you to apply that your SAT. If you can get a 2300+ on the SAT, or a 34 on the ACT, I think you’ll have solid shot at some of these schools in the 25-60 range of the USNews rankings. Anything above that, though, would probably be stretching. </p>
<p>Yes, with continued hard work you will very likely get into a good college. But what is “good”? Georgetown is an elite university. 19,885 students applied last year and 3,398 were admitted (according to the GU Common Data Set). Frankly, Georgetown is a reach for just about everyone who applies. 16,487 students who applied last year did not get in. So, by all means apply to Georgetown, Tufts and the other great IR programs. Just be realistic about your comprehensive admission strategy. </p>
<p>You should apply to a range of schools: reaches/matches/safeties. For matches you want your stats to fall roughly within the 25th to 75th percentile of admits. I saw someone on another thread say start with your matches, and then choose your reaches & safeties. I think this is good advice.</p>
<p>Even though the 210 PSAT is promising, take the ACT too, if you can. Some students do better with one test than the other. And some schools now superscore the ACT.</p>
<p>Finally, have a realistic idea of what you can afford. Talk frankly with your family. If financial aid and/or merit aid is a necessity, then factor that in from the get go. There are many posts on CC about students who got into great schools, and then were hit with sticker shock. Good luck! We need more great diplomats!</p>
<p>You also should look into the many Cal States, although they do not accept essays and admissions is dependent upon your UC GPA and test scores but they can be an affordable choice for a very good education.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for all your help! I had no idea about the UC GPA and how it’s different from my regular GPA… I looked at the link that @gumbymom posted and my UC GPA would be high if I continue getting good grades this year. I’ll also take an AP or Honors course during summer school so I can add that to my UC GPA. In addition, if I understand the UC website correctly, my PE grade wouldn’t be counted because it is not an A-G course which is obviously a good thing. </p>
<p>My main focus for the next few months will be on getting good grades and preparing for my tests - I’ll be taking the SAT and the ACT in the next few months along with my SAT II and AP tests. I think I’m going to apply to Georgetown regardless just so I have no regrets or ‘‘what ifs’’ in the future. If I get denied, I’ll try again as a transfer if I feel that I want to graduate from Georgetown instead of the school I’m attending. That may be the better route anyways because it could possibly save me money. </p>
<p>Merry Christmas everyone and good luck in 2015! </p>