Hi I am 16 years old as of two days ago and I a currently a sophomore in high school. I have a 2.8 GPA and have recently become very stressed over this as i have realized that this is not a very good gpa. I have also struggled with undiagnosed ADHD for a lot of freshman year. I am on the lacrosse team for the high school and we have just started the final marking period for this year. I would really appreciate some advice/help with realistic options for college. I would have loved to go to Notre Dame, but unless anybody has any advice that’s out of the question. What about Penn State University? Is that a realistic option, and if not, would it be possible to make it a realistic option before senior year of high school? I would really appeciate any help
Look, I am not gonna lie. Notre Dame is out of the question. You need to shoot for the best possible thing you can get. As someone who committed to working hard all of HS(senior now) the number one thing I would say your problem is entirely mental. I have ADHD but its more than having meds to help. It is willpower and diligence. Keep playing lacrosse, get into extra curricalars but most importantly study you ass off, if you want to change your future your GPA needs to rise. I am talking 3.6-3.7 min. This will stand out to colleges, improvement. Also bust your ass this summer and get a high score on the ACT or SAT. I used to tutor the test, it is not a measure of intelligence, it is about beating the game. It is a test of tricks. You need to adopt an attitude where nothing is more important than succeeding. Look up eric thomas motivational speech about the man and the guru. Penn State is doable and better if you completely turn your GPA around.
Yeahno Notre Dame is a fantasy at this point. Penn State is also going to very difficult. Your 2.8 is waaaay below the 3.59 average.
For now don’t focus on specific colleges, focus on improving your academic profile including classwork and studying for standardized tests. When the time comes you will have to look for schools that fit your profile. ND is out and Penn State (at least the main campus) is highly unlikely as well – but you’d be surprised how many wonderful schools are out there so work to put yourself in the best position you can.
Have you sought any help for your ADHD? If your condition is hindering your ability to study, then do whatever you need to do to get help. Figure that out first and then work on bringing up your GPA. You’ve got time for the college search.
The main thing is getting your condition under control so that you can perform well academically.
Take a long-term view. You don’t just go to college and then die.
If you go to a CC or branch PSU and get a high GPA, you probably have a good shot at transferring in to main PSU. Possibly even ND (it’s easier to transfer there than go straight from undergrad).
And even if you don’t, a high college GPA means you have a shot at prestigious Master’s programs.
Penn State branch campuses would probably be within reach, especially if you improve your grades from here on out. Then you transfer to University Park for junior and senior year.