Do you, too, think what my Mom thinks?

[megan12]

I agree with the others who say that it's certainly possible to pull up those grades if you really work at it and be able to get into some of those top colleges. Freshman year is not as important as the other 3. Also, they are looking for improvement and how hard those classes are. So, if you start taking honors/AP and doing well in them, anything you did as a freshman won't even matter. They are looking for a progression - you should be taking harder and harder classes as you move through the grades, and you should maintain good grades in those classes. For instance, my S was told to skip statistics his senior year and take multivariable calculus because it carries more weight.

Definitely be involved in activities and volunteer work. Most schools are not looking for just a long list of activities, but something that you stayed with for a long time and feel passionate about. Four years at one sport is worth more than 50 activities in 4 years.

If, however, you still can't reach the top grades by the end of junior year - don't beat yourself up. There are plenty of other engineering schools out there for you. The top schools are very hard to get into, so even if you're valedictorian, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get in. My S found that out the hard way.

One more thing - you don't say whether you're a male or female, but that will play a part as well. If you happen to be female, your chances will go up significantly. It's just the way the game is played....

[3bm103]

It's never too late. Pull up those grades and if that doesn't get you into a top engineering school, it will certainly get you into a very good one. Start there and either you'll love it, or you can transfer and graduate from a top school.

[wis75]

Stanford doesn't even consider HS freshman grades. Improving grades do count- better to have better sophomore and junior grades than the same gpa all 3 years. Therefore you can become an impressive candidate. It will not hurt your goals to focus on learning the most you can from each class- this likely will give you better grades and most importantly will help you in later classes, including at any college. Join any activites you are interested in- make the most of your HS years in many ways, not just academics. If you work hard and do your best you will know you are not settling for a lesser college because you were a HS slacker.

You will evolve over the next two years and then when fall of senior year comes you will have a much better idea of what you want in college, where your strengths and interests lie and which colleges should be on your radar. Do not worry now about college, focus on the life at hand- study hard in this year's classes.

[anonymityyy]

My freshman and sophomore years of high school were so bad that even with (virtually) straight A's junior and senior year, I only ever managed to get my GPA up to a 3.3. I didn't get into Harvard, and I'm not an engineering major, but I'd say I did all right. Just do your best from now on and they'll most likely judge you by your later performance, not by your first year. But try not to set your heart on one school either - just focus on doing YOUR personal best.

[boundpetro]

"I find it hard to believe you are in the bottom third of your class with a 3.07....."

We have a lot of high-achieving students in my HS.

[boundpetro]

I would like to express how much I appreciate the insight of all who answered! I feel stronger and encouraged, and I believe in myself a great deal now.

Regarding my "class rank". It's not official, the school doesn't rank - I just figured my %-ile from the table that the school posts on its profile..It give this range: 25-49%-ile corresponding to GPA 2.9-3.3
Since I had 3.07 I figured in my Fresh year I was closer to 31%-ile, which is roughly the bottom third.

I am a male, and I made JV2 (lower level of JV's) swim team in my school last year. It's a big school - 4,000 students, so it's good to make *any* real sport teams there. This year, and until graduation I'm planning to continue swimming, and am trying to improve.

I haven't been making great Math grades before (maybe because I didn't try...) My Algebra grade, which I took between 8th and 9th grade was a C... So I guess I would have to re-learn basic Math on my own for my future SAT/ACT math tests.

Made B's in both Geometry and Chemistry Fresh year.

This, Sophomore, year I am taking Pre-Calc... it hit me hard right at my very first test - I made an embarrassing D. That was before I decided to "wake up". Then I erased all the games on my cell phone, studied harder for my next Pre-Calc test and quizzes, and made a B average afterwards. Have to work on making it an A now somehow.

Science-wise this year I am taking AP Physics - I like it, though it's a lot to study! B+ so far, but again, will try to improve on that, too.

*Please* continue to share your advice here, and I will check this thread from time to time. Am sure I will need it when a hard test hits me or something..Your guidance is really, really appreciated.

[YoHoYoHo]

Op, why do you want to be an engineering major? Most engineering majors LOVE math and do extraordinarily well in math with minimal effort. Consider picking goals based on things that you love to do, rather than what you THINK you should do.

[glido]

Colleges will look at all four years of your HS work, but will certain,ly identify any upward trend. Take the most rigorous courseload you can handle and do your very best. You will have to practice the SATs a lot. Join an EC that you are passionate about, don't join something just because you think the members of the Ad. Comm will like it. You should explore many more engineering programs. Best of luck!

[boundpetro]

to YoHoYoHo: (why do I want to become an engineer if Math doesn't come with "minimal efforts" to me?)

Because since early childhood I love building and constructing things. I tend to see "big pictures" of technical things, and I also love earth and rocks. The idea of energy in general, and oil in particular, really fascinates me since this is what made such a high leap in our progress possible.

I may had made silly mistakes on Math tests, or didn't study in the past, therefore, my grades were not "effortlessly" superb. However, at the same time I often see a solution to a problem that nobody else in class thought of. Kinda "outside of box", which (I think) what engineers do.

My uncle is a published PhD in Chem and Geology, and a multiple patent holder. The sales of technology he patented brought big time monetary compensation to him. But in high school he was a "slow" student, making C's and B's in his Math and Science classes even though he did try his hardest.

[SaltwaterTom]

My son's best friend had his heart set on aerospace engineering and applied to University of Texas- Austin, but was not accepted his freshman year. He went to UT- San Antonio instead for his freshman year, got all A's, then was able to transfer into UT-Austin's program his sophomore year. He is now in his Junior year in the program at Austin. Just because you don't get there your freshman year doesn't mean you can't get in at all. Keep working hard, you can do it.

[wis75]

Your HS may suffer from grade inflation if the average gpa is so high. Also, you can't always interpolate grades from the middle 50%. Don't worry about that. Do concentrate on learning the material presented in your courses. As above, when the time comes apply to dream schools but also reality check ones and consider transferring if you still want to once you are in college. You want to get a firm foundation so be sure to pay attention to conventional problem solving methods in addition to your own insights.

[spectrum2]

Looking at your school choices I'm guessing that you are in Texas and also that you haven't yet really researched engineering programs but are familiar with some big name schools. As another poster mentioned some schools don't count freshman year and some appreciate upward trends and will excuse a weak start. It sounds like you might benefit from a discussion with your GC to help you get pointed in a direction that works for you. FYI in the Texas HS school my S graduated from a 3.7 UW would put you in the top 10% probably even top 8% that would most likely get you an auto admit into both UT Austin and TAMU. In anycase you can't dwell on that there are lots of options in addition to the schools you mentioned and even with a less than perfect GPA. All you can do is give it your best from this point forward and then assess your real possibilities during your junior year. But do speak to someone who can help you see that there are many strong engineering programs and if you do reasonably well and it is right for you you will find one. Over the years to come you will also probably revise your list of favorites. The GC can probably also give you some real advice about how to lay the ground work for your upward trend. A meeting between the counselor, you and your mom could be helpful.

[cromette]

Boundpetro,

First of all - you never know about the math stuff. If you start applying yourself, and it doesn't come too easily - look around for some specialized math programs. I know that I had some kind of weird math blockage in my brain, LOL - and then one day, something just made sense and it all began to click!

Have you checked out A & M's AUTOMATIC ADMIT requirements? This is definitely within your grasp - go for it if it's your dream!

Applicants qualify for automatic academic admission, if:

they are ranked in the top quarter of their graduating class, and

achieve a combined SAT Math and SAT Critical Reading score of at least 1300 with a test score of at least 600 in each of these components; or achieve a composite ACT score of at least 30 with a test score of at least 27 in ACT Math and ACT English. Students must take the writing component of the SAT and/or ACT in order for the test score to be considered, and

have successfully taken all recommended coursework, and

meet the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy, and

ensure all required credentials are received by the freshman closing date.

[YoHoYoHo]

Boundpetro, I now see your passion and love for Energy/Chemical engineering. This passion will take you far surprisingly far if you are persistent and let it show through in your accomplishments and essays. You will make it!

[sevmom]

boundpetro, You sound like you have the potential to be a great engineer based on your post #24. Don't give up if that is where you see yourself. We need more engineers and scientists.My husband (and his dad), older son and younger son-all engineers. Math was effortless for older son in high school (5's on BC calculus , AP Physics,etc). Younger son would not even take calculus in high school but did get 5 in AP Physics("I'd rather take AP Statistics"-just couldn't be bothered with calculus but insisted he wanted to study engineering in college). I was very skeptical and told him as much. Fast forward, he is a senior in engineering, on track to graduate summa cum laude with a job already waiting for him when he graduates next year. You sound like you can do this if you put your mind to it!