Hi, I was just curious if I can still get into an top 25 school for college.
My freshman year I had all As and was an extremely good student. Then Some personal issues happened to me and I had to move to another public school for my sophomore year, depression anxiety hit me because of this personal issue and I didnt do as well at school. Fortunately I am alright at basketball and it landed me an opportunity to go to a prep school in Maine, my coach advised to repeat my sophomore year which I did. This prep school is one of the best teams in New England and we placed fourth in one of the toughest leagues in New England. Unfortunately my grades weren’t that great at an 87 average. I was more interested in the basketball aspect of my career and 6 hour bus rides and 2 hour plane rides were just me sleeping instead of doing the homework that was due. After the season, the school had cut the basketball program, which meant we would no longer be a strong program in New England. I considered transferring to another prep program but my parents urged me to focus more on academics, which meant staying at my current school. Despite my average grades, I was able to get into 4 AP classes for my junior year, I will most likely be the team captain for the varsity team, Student disciplinary committee etc. I am currently striving for a 1450 on the PSAT and 1500+ for the actual official SAT. I feel like my life is just going down a drain it somehow my high school years get worse and worse. I am not so sure I will be able to get a good school because of the dip in both sophomore year grades.
Is there any advice for someone like me, will my sophomore year grades impact my chances to a good college?
Some extra info:
Rising Junior
Asian American
Have Residence in California and Massachusetts
Go to a school in Maine.
It sounds like your best chance would be as an athletic recruit for basketball. Your academics, while improving, probably aren’t going to be at the top of their applicant pool. Do you have any other standout ECs?
Take your shot at a lottery school, but I would focus on lower reaches and match schools. You have a lot to offer, but I don’t think a T25 is going to be a fit. Given your history, consider looking for a college with strong mental health supports in place. Hopefully you won’t need them, but if you do, it could make all the difference.
Extra information: I didn’t fail my sophomore year, I just didn’t match my grades from freshman year.
Freshman year went to a public school ranked top 65 in California
Sophomore year went to a public school ranked top 600 in california with a subpar graduation rate.
Repeat sophomore year goes to a top 5 prep school in northeast
I will take 6 APS my Junior year.
87 percent is unweighted with 4 honors.
No mental disorder, just didnt like moving to a new school which seemed like a downgrade (which was)
When at a prep, your GC is your best starter resource.
It’s not a matter of how many AP, but the right courses and your results. The 87 may be an issue if some less than A grades are related to your possible college major. And, with that 87, a 1500 may not make you as competitive as you want. Also, what ECs besides a sport and a hs committee?
Get a Fiske Guide to colleges and learn more about targets for you.
Here in New England we have a guy named Bill Belichick who has been very successful with the motto of “do your job”.
Right now your job is to get very high grades for your upcoming junior year of high school. If you do very well next year, this will help you a lot in terms of where you might be able to get into university. A year from now we should be more able to give you realistic ideas of which universities to consider.
I might add: Right now it does not look like a top 25 university would be a good fit for you. However, there are a lot of very good universities where you can do very well. With another year of high school you will be in better shape to find some good ones.
And up the ECs. With your issues, coming out across several threads, you need some positive actions that help others. Not tutoring, shelving library books, hanging with younger kids, or fundraising, etc. Something where you commit to the local community. It can show positives, not just being so wrapped up in your own issues.