calculator5

I just finished sophomore year at a college-prep private school, and am not totally happy with my grades.

My GPA for freshman year (with 3 honors classes--all that was allowed) was a 3.7.

This year, because I (stupidly) thought I could handle a play, a varsity sport, and other things, my GPA ended up being a 3.5, with 4 honors classes.

For Junior year I am taking 4 AP classes. I know that I will be able to get a 3.7-4.0 (unweighted) GPA next year because I am dropping all of the things that lowered my grades this year.

How much of an affect will my sophomore grades have on a college application?

I am very involved in activism and political awareness inside and outside of school, president of two clubs (and VP of another), and will be a 4-year varsity athlete.
Also, I don't know if this matters, but I am gay and very open about it (faculty at school have complimented me for doing this).

I know upward trends are a good thing, but would my sophomore grades still prevent me from getting into a good school?

bleach340

What's your dream school? This would probably hurt you for schools like harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and everything else in the top 10. But after that, if you get a solid 4.0 junior year, your 3.7 shouldn't bar you from getting in as long as you take the most challenging classes.

calculator5

My dream school is Columbia, so I'm guessing that counts along with the schools you mentioned.

To what extent would this hurt my chances? Do I still have a shot?

calculator5

Also, my school is a super-competitive private school...as in 6 kids going to Cornell, 4 to Harvard, 3 to Yale, etc. in this year's graduating class.

megan702

Yes you definitely have a shot. Your ECs are very good! GPA is not as important as test scores, recommendations, extra-curriculers, etc. Since you have stated that so many people at your school get into Ivy Leagues, I suggest you ehm, 'stalk' them or at least find out how they've done it.

bleach340

Ok with that level of competition you still have a shot. Just make sure you get a 4.0 in junior year. Also don't quit all ecs!! Just do the one ur most passionate about during the school year and the rest during the summer. Remember for top schools it's more about depth than breadth.

bleach340

I must strongly disagree with Megan here and say that gpa is highly important. It's just that everyone applying pretty much has a 3.9-4.0 and so admissions officers must look to the rest to decide. A 3.7 won't earn a look. A minimum of 3.75 will stand a chance (with outstanding ecs or essays).

bleach340

Btw I'm talking only about the top schools admissions like Columbia's (excluding the university of chicago).

calculator5

If I were to get a 4.0 GPA next year, which I honestly think is doable, my high school GPA would be a 3.73, which is still a little low.

Would colleges take into consideration the fact that my GPA rose junior year, in addition to taking 4 APs?

Also, I applied to the school's Peer Leadership program; if I were to get in, how much would this help?

bleach340

A 3.73 hmm what rank would that put you at? I'd say you have to be in the top 20 to be competitive for columbia judging by the stats about colleges you mentioned. I don't know anything about the peer leadership program but it sounds like the bs leadership conferences we have at our school. You need to get a student officer position, get a good office in a decent club, or start your own club.

bleach340

What aps are you taking? If you were taking hard ones like cal bc and physics the colleges would be delighted that you got a 4.0 in junior year. Otherwise I think you will still stand a chance but not a very good one unless you win a major competition. Check out the threads on here regarding those and you can train over the summer. I don't know if your peer leadership program is prestigious or not so I can't judge really.

bleach340

It's such a shame because you seem like a really competitive candidate outside of gpa! If you had the 3.9 I'm pretty sure you get in

calculator5

I'm taking AP English, AP Latin Virgil, AB Calc, and AP U.S.

I got second place in a county-wide science fair in 8th grade (not sure if that matters), and am president of two clubs, as well as VP of a third. As president of GSA I do a ton of things like bring in speakers, organize field trips, create and do presentations for the faculty on the inclusive classroom etc. I'm also a mentor for girls in middle school.

The Peer Leadership Program at our school is a big deal and requires 3 weeks of summer training because you teach a class to freshmen about alcohol/drugs/sex/friends/etc, in addition to other things

What do you mean by "major competition"? If I am able to attain the grades I want next year, there is a high chance I will win one of several awards given out to juniors in each department by representatives of various elite universities (Princeton, Brown, Harvard, etc.). Would this help?

I'm really kicking myself for doing an extra play--the thing that caused me to get a B- in Chem, which brought my grade down significantly. It was such a great experience, but I'm not sure if it was totally worth it...

megan702

Ohhhh yah you're right about that! Sorry I'm sorta new here and don't know a lot about what exactly are the min requirements, but a lot of people's stats on here are really intimidating.....