I have 4 c’s on my transcript and 1 D
I had a D in Earth science (freshman year)
I had a C in Geometry (freshman year)
I had a C in Intro to Research (forced to take it, had no interest.)
I had a C in Algebra 2 and Trig (sophomore year)
I had a C in Biology Honors (sophomore year)
Had a concussion first half of sophomore year
My grades other than those 2 C’s were all A’s or B’s for the rest of sophomore year.
Junior year I’m doing well I have all B’s for now.
My gpa is a 3.0 UW
and a 3.5 W
I have good ecs and positions in clubs.
I’m trying as hard as I can but no matter what I do, I’ll always be a B student and I know that.
I also tutored kids with ADHD
I’m first generation as well
My ACT target score is a 30. (I’m getting in the low 20’s range at the moment now. I’m studying a lot.)
I have an upward trend but that D is dragging me down. According to psychology, the primacy effect will be the first thing colleges remember about me because I got a D in earth science (first thing on transcript.)
I’m so screwed and I’m afraid I won’t get in anywhere good. I don’t want to go to community college either. I’m so screwed.
Did I mention that I go to one of the most competitive high schools in NY?
These are the colleges I am THINKING about. In no means am I applying to all.
Univ of Arizona
American
UCONN
Delaware
Penn State
Maryland
Hartford
Miami
Indiana
UPitt
Syracuse
University at Buffalo
USC
UCB
Hofstra
Drexel
UMASS
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Elon
FSU
Ohio State
Emory
Tulane University
Lehigh
Northeastern
Temple
Fordham
Alabama
Vermont
Marist
Those are 30 colleges you’ve listed. No one wants to chance you for 30 colleges, some of which you are very unlikely to get into. I suggest that you look up the average GPA and ACT needed for acceptance at these schools, and remove the ones that are out of reach. Then come back with a reduced list (10 at most) and you might get more feedback.
USC/UCB, very slim chance based on above stats and an ACT of 30 will not cut it, think 32+ so remove from list. UCB will give you no financial aid so expect to pay $60K/year.
Some colleges don’t look at freshman grades, and many or most like to see an upward trend in GPA. Overall, you go to a competitive school, and I hope you explained your concussion when given a chance on the CA. Some of those schools are in your reach. Make sure you have safety, match and reach like anyone else, and you’ll get into somewhere I am sure you will be happy with.
Many of those are reaches, but you’ll be fine. If you’re mostly worried about the name, you’ve got much bigger things to worry about. Being well known doesn’t give a school prestige. It saddens me that you care about name so much.
Do not worry about getting into a well known college. I have talked to many people in the business field and unless you have a degree from an Ivy, you are just as competitive for the job with a degree from a smaller school vs. a larger one. Personally, I would recommend going to a community college for your first two years to complete an associates and then continue on to a better school. I know many schools do programs with CCs where you are automatically accepted to their main campus if you complete two years at their specific CC.
Look through the options, contact admissions counselors, etc. Best of luck to you and just remember that sometimes getting out of college with the least amount of debt is sometimes the most important.