SniffyToast

Hello all. I've been lurking through these forums for quite some time, but I've finally decided I'd make an account today. I've looked up many "Bad Freshman Year" threads, but I haven't seen any that match up to my situation (not that my situation is particularly interesting or unique).

I finished freshman year with a 3.03 unweighted gpa, taking no honors classes. I just didn't give a ****. I had always wanted to attend a good college, but never really given much thought as to how I would do so. And so as I looked back at my freshman year, I began to panic. I decided on improving sophomore year. My goal was to get an A in every class except for a B in math. I also knew I'd have to take some honors classes, but I didn't quite know how I'd handle them and only ended up registering for one (English).
So, quarter 1 of my sophomore year comes to a close and my goals have so far been met. I've got a B in math and an A in everything else. At this point, I'm pretty pumped. I decided I'd move up to honors U.S. History and honors biology once quarter 2 started. However, before I got the chance to do so I got a concussion playing football (for the high school team). I miss the majority of quarter 2, and my class changes are no longer feasible. My parents and my doctor tell me I need to just focus on getting my makeup work done, and not to worry about whether or not it is A quality. These words frighten me.
I return to school a little before midterms, and attempt to get back in the swing of things. I barely got exempt from anything. I was given a lot of time to make up my work, but this didn't seem to ease my anxiety.
...
Fast forward to the end of the year (I realize I'm rambling here). I end up with a 3.55 gpa. My goal was to get a 3.8.
I'm now in the summer heading into my junior year and I'm taking honors chem, honors gov and econ, honors french, ap english language and composition, and cp precalc. I did the math, and even with a 3.9 gpa junior year my overall will end up as a 3.49. A 4.0 will get me a 3.52 overall. I see kids on here crying about getting a 3.5 their freshman year...I'll be lucky to end up with a 3.5 overall (I probably won't).

So my real question is, what are the top schools that I'll be able to get into? I wanted to go to a place like George Washington or NYU. Is that too unrealistic?

Holocene

With a decent SAT score and a 3.5 you might be able to get into GWU or NYU. Be sure to have matches and safeties as well. The real question is whether your parents can afford GWU or NYU, both of which cost 55-60k/year and do not meet need.

CentralFC

So a concussion sidelined you from school for how long?

SniffyToast

around a month and a half

Vin436

Colleges can see how you improve over the years, and that improvement can be a positive factor in admissions.

CentralFC

How severe was this concussion?

terenc

You can also explain to the adcoms that you had a concussion.

hrkn13

A guidance counselor rec can help explain the reasons behind weak grades, and just about every college I've visited has said they love to see grade improvement. With your challenging courseload, a very successful junior year would probably put you in good shape for the schools you're looking at

MathGuy777

Just study hard, and take the best opportunities, and you'll do great! It's not hopeless, but at this point, you just have to do your best to raise your GPA to the highest possible.