<p>DS got Bs and Cs in high school. He worked hard for those grades but, as a result, went to a nearby, non-flagship State U. He has a 3.8 GPA taking some very demanding classes (Biochem, genetics, probability theory, partial differential equations, statistical computing). His advisor is very excited about his prospects for grad school!</p>
<p>“also, does an undergrad at harvard have a better chance of success than an undregrad at a non-ivy league university?”</p>
<p>It matters how you define success. If you’re defining it by things like getting into professional schools, then yes, Harvard undergrads have better chances of doing things like that. For instance, I know only one student from my undergrad years at Harvard who didn’t applied to med schools but didn’t get into any. She didn’t get in because she was a rare Harvard student with bad grades.</p>
<p>The question for Harvard students applying to med schools whether they’d get into a place like an Ivy med school, not whether they’d get into any med schools. The most prevalent careers for my Harvard classmates are lawyers and doctors.</p>
<p>When I taught at a second tier public, I was surprised to find that few students applied to law or medical school, and it was considered a triumph when any got accepted anywhere – including to low ranked law and medical schools.</p>
<p>that I had been raised in just 1 US town for my whole life from elementary school to high school, I would not have struggled with English and I would have made good grades.</p>
<p>I hated my situation. I always wanted to go to Harvard but now it is just a pipe dream…</p>
<p>Protagonist: I was born with a learning disability that limits my mathematical capability to that of an 11 year old, which as I am sure you can imagine made both high school and college math a challenge. I am considered a mild dyscalculic-- there are many even worse than me. I wasn’t even eligible for special education services because the school failed to realize that just because my other subjects were fine didn’t mean I wasn’t disabled in math. I got all A’s and B’s but failed math every year and nearly didn’t graduate. I wish I didn’t have ADD or dyscalculia, I wish my parents weren’t so unsupportive, and I wish I actually qualified for need based aid since I am paying my own way alone. Lots of people have stories of things that have held them back. You can still knock college out of the park. The great thing about the way this country’s university system works is that it is pretty hard to permanently screw yourself, especially as early on in the process as you are. I am in one of the top political science programs in the country right now, and I spent all day yesterday researching financial aid at ivy league law schools. As long as things continue as they are I’ll actually be able to go. Someone from my background making that kind of an accomplishment just doesn’t seem possible, but I am doing it. You need to do your best not to pay attention to your limitations and hyperfocus that attention on the way AROUND those limitations. That will get you through. You may not be able to make it to Ivy league for undergrad now, but you have to remember that college is not the end goal here. College is a short term goal leading into your longterm professional goals, and your own personal enrichment. You can still reach your longterm goals, and there’s really nothing to hold you back from going to Harvard for graduate or professional school if you get going on it.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that we are all dealt challenges in life that affect us in different ways. If I can overcome finishing high school with a 2.8 and completing college level algebra and statistics with my disabilities, you can overcome a 3.5 in high school. The future is still bright for you.</p>
<p>You may think you were average in high school but have not lived an average life. Think about the positive things that your unique situation has helped make you who you are. How have your experiences growing up in other countries and having to move frequently shaped you as a person? </p>
<p>You’re unhappy because you seem to be trying to fit in rather than stand out. Rather than focusing on what you hate about your situation, focus on the positives. Talk to someone you trust who will help figure that out.</p>
<p>Many successful writers, actors, and other artists were not good students. Authoer Dave Maraniss now with a couple Pulitzers and several best selling books said he was a C student in HS and college–at best.</p>
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<p>Is 3.4 or 3.5 really “average?” </p>
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<p>You’d have to define success, but let’s just pick being selected for Harvard Medical School as one measure of success. The lastest info from Harvard Medical School states that their first year students came from 34 states and 12 foreign countries. Clearly it’s not only Harvard, or Ivy League, students who have a chance. </p>
<p>Depending on the field, a graduate or professional degree from a highly ranked university can make a difference in a career but it’s far from the only factor.</p>
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<p>A lot of students do not start taking high school seriously until their Junior Year. I would not consider that an indicator that a student could not handle college.</p>
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<p>The majority of our friends in the military (we are a military family as well) are not able to stay in one place so that their children can attend one high school. Yet many of these kids are honor students all four years, even if it’s at two or three high schools. We’ve been incredibly lucky that our son will have only attended one high school.</p>
<p>In otherwords, I do not think that is a factor in ability to succeed either.</p>
<p>I caution you to not get too wrapped in placing blame on the “why” of your gpa. Colleges will not look on that favorably. They want to hear, and more importantly see, that you are taking responsibility for your grades now. Which you are, so congratulations on that and I wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>LOL…</p>
<p>I know someone who got D’s in high school - nearly flunked out! Went into the military. Got out, went to state school…got straight A’s…went to Harvard for grad school. Has a PhD in Physics! </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Protagonist - try for at least a 3.5 as your final GPA. It will help a ton on merit awards.</p>
<p>that was a really inspiring story you made up.</p>
<p>As for me guys, I really want to leave the state of GA forever if possible. I don’t want to come back here ever in my life, I really want to go to the Northeast for my undergrad or at least live in the Northeast or Northwest. People in the deep South really are bigoted (not all but a large majority). I hope one day I do get out of here, I have had a painful life here in GA.</p>
<p>Well, now its time for me to get to work on that SAT.</p>
<p>does it matter more where you go for your undergrad or where you go to grad school?</p>
<p>I didn’t make it up, it’s true!</p>
<p>I would argue it matters a lot more where you go to grad school, however if you go to podunk no-name undergrad institution you might have your work cut out for you trying to get admitted to the big name grad schools. There is some level of balance, too.</p>
<p>If you go to grad school, it will never matter where you went to undergrad. </p>
<p>You can go to lots and lots of undergrad schools to get the education, research experience and guidance from faculty that you need to get into the very best graduate programs. The top 50 are probably just fine (I use these silly ranking numbers very loosely, but hopefully you get my point). Moreover, graduate programs in particular fields, going to a well known school in that field (in our field, one such school is a state school with open admissions for example), is as good as “prestige U”.</p>
<p>thanks guys, it also sucks that I am Asian American</p>
<p>^Maybe if you tried a little harder that wouldn’t be such a handicap… Get over it. Either way, if you’re really going for a 4.0 it’s going to be easier at a college with a lower caliber of student.</p>
<p>My D had VERY similar stats and graduated Summa Cum Laude and got into every grad program she applied to. Chose the one that offered the most fellowship money.(just sayin) I think it is all about having a passion for your area of study.</p>
<p>this is why I was complaining about being Asian</p>
<p>[Do</a> Elite Private Colleges Discriminate Against Asian Students? - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/10/07/do-elite-private-colleges-discriminate-against-asian-students.html?PageNr=1]Do”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/10/07/do-elite-private-colleges-discriminate-against-asian-students.html?PageNr=1)</p>
<p>You’ve got an incredible essay to write and a lot of fantastic experiences which will allow you to go to at least somewhere in the Northeast. One bit of advice, though, when you are writing your essays leave out the poor me parts of your story and emphasize what you have GAINED from your experience. Do not go into how much you hate the place you live…Go into how vast your experience is and how easily you adapt and how much you bring to the table in this way. Never let an admissions officer catch you feeling sorry for yourself. What they want to know is what you have to offer THEM, not what you didn’t get when you were growing up.</p>
<p>^ Absolutely agree with this. Well said.</p>