<p>Would love some input on this issue: My daughter, who goes to a rigorous and selective private school, had crummy grades in her freshman and first half of sophomore yeardue largely to the teenage angst that plagues a lot of smart, creative kids. As she’s matured, she’s become a more committed student and now, in her junior year, will probably end up with an A- average, not an easy accomplishment at her school. Still, her overall GPA will only be about a B after this year.</p>
<p>She’s done reasonably well standardized test-wise: She made the cut for commended scholar on her PSATs and got 2050 (710 v 730 w and 610 m) on her first shot at the SATs, and will probably be able to do better next time. She’s the editor of her h.s. newspaper, writes extensively for the literary magazine, and has been the stage manager of school productions since freshman year.</p>
<p>Our goal is to make sure she ends up in a college where her test scores put her in the range of most of the students, but her guidance counsellor is only recommended schools with lower numbers. He says her early grades are an “albatross” that she won’t be able to shed.</p>
<p>I realize she doesn’t have a shot at the ivy and schools of that ilk, but I’m wondering if it is really true that a kid’s slow start will shut her out completely of the competition for more selective schools. Any thoughts on this? </p>
<p>Also, are there any schools – or types of schools – that are more open to bright kids who didn’t hit the ground running at age 14.</p>
<p>I did the same thing, and I’ve been regretting it ever since, Im only a junior but still i wish i could go back to freshman year and redo it. </p>
<p>anyways some colleges disregard freshman year grades.</p>
<p>It depends. Cause colleges will like that your daughter at least improved the farther she got into her high school career. Colleges look for improvement. </p>
<p>But if she started out really, really badly, THAT’S A BIG PROBLEM. I mean if she got off to sort of a slow start, that’s ok. </p>
<p>But if she just completely tanked freshman yr, it’s gonna be hard to get out of that hole.</p>
<p>
U-Michigan does not factor in freshman grades when computing the GPA. Is summer school an option to retake a course or two from 1st semester sophomore year? Upward trend in grades is what colleges want to see so that will work in your D’s favor.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input: no she didn’t totally tank, had around a B- average, but like I said, her school is rigorous, so it’s not totally awful. That’s interesting info about U-Michigan not factoring in freshman grades. Will pass that along to her GC.</p>
<p>The way you made it sound like was like she was gettin D’s and F’s. </p>
<p>B- average is fine. Maybe it she won’t get into an Ivy-League school, but there’s plenty of non-ivy league schools that have just the same value of education. </p>
<p>I don’t think she’s in any trouble.</p>
<p>I think she will do fine. Her scores and recent grades are much more important than the freshman and soph grades. My son was expelled from a school sophomore year, and still got into highly selective colleges. Even though he is a recruit, we were told by a number of admissions folks that an upward trend in grades/maturity is what they are looking for. With good references, she will get into wonderful schools. Yes, you might have to cast the net a little bit wider because there will be a couple rejections based on the early grades, but for the most part, she will do fine in the admissions wars. Just have a good range of safeties, matches and reaches.</p>
<p>freshman year: MAth:barely passing
English BIO: 70s
GLobal(best subject that year: had a high 80 average…B+ i believe
altogether i believe i had around a 70-something average that year and nOO ECS in school…but piano and horseback out of school and a little acting…
THIS YEAR I have around a average about the same as my global class for all my classes combined…and im proud of it…
next years aim: a A- average…
and a couple CC/Molloy college classes b/c we have nO IBS/APS at my new school</p>
<p>o and yeah the reason for my bad grades was: MY PARENTS SHOULDVe listened A KID W/ ADHD AND PDD SyMPTOMS DOESNT BELONG IN PUBLIC HS IF U CAN GET HeR TO A PRIVATE SPECIAL SCHOOL OR IN A SPECIAL PROGRAM ITS BEST! well now my parents have listened and now im in a private school thats one of its kind(on Long Island) theres only a few in the US A private school w/ less then 100 kids 5-12th grade focusing only on kids w/ ADd adhd LD and PDDs…its perfect for me… and im probably one or the best in my grade b/c academically im higher up a little then most i just wasnt getting the right help in class last year:
IF u want more info if u have a son/little sister/brother/daughter that fits in this category in those grades or going into 5th and live on Long Island go to: Www.vincentsmith.org…it will give u the number and ask for ms lombardo or mrs wishnew</p>
<p>o and they give good financial aid they have lots of scholarships if not and its bad The districts have to pay for some part of it if this person is failing out of school its a law…I know half the school is under district pay…AND if this person lives in NYC Theres one there but i forgot the name ITs almost exactly the same</p>
<p>how bad is crummy?</p>
<p>also, Michigan, Stanford and Princeton are some schools that dont factor in freshman year…im sure that there are others too.</p>
<p>I did badly in freshman and the first half of sophmore year and I got into a fine school (my first choice). I think she sounds like she has genuine interests which puts her above a lot of people. As long as she’s got an upward trend and has an interesting application I can’t see why she wouldn’t be able to get in wherever she wants.</p>
<p>My cousins very much like u schoenhs…he didnt really start working well till Second semester sophmore year…HE goes to School of Art and Design …in NYC a well looked at public magnet hs…in Manhattan he is low income…and i believe we will be paying for a good amount of his college educationn.(my parents r his godparents and weve payed for various things for him) his mother never went to COllege until a while ago where she took a few cc classes. His dad he doesnt even know…hes half black/half white…and he is the only darker skinned person in are family we all r white except him(Gets him a little annoyed especially when people tell me: Hes your cousin? and im liek yeah. and there liek but hes Black!) god it gets me frusturated a lot… I love him as much as I love everyone else in my extended family</p>
<p>well, this is all encouraging to hear. In reading these message boards and in hearing about a lot of the other kids at her school, I have the impression that most kids get straight As, killer board scores and have practically discovered the cure for cancer, among all their other ECs.<br>
It’s nice to hear about other kids who are less than perfect “resumes.”</p>
<p>Take a look at the schools the class of 2010 matriculated at from your school. See how many were admitted to the selective colleges your daughter is interested in. Was there more than one student admitted to the schools your daughter is considering?</p>
<p>Your college counselor is aware that classmates of your daughter with higher GPAs, higher or equilvalent test scores, outside activities, etc. are also planning to apply to these same selective schools. He might be suggesting other schools with lower numbers because he knows your daughter has a better chance of of a successful admission. Keep in mind he has just seen many excellent students receive denial letters as well as acceptance letters.</p>
<p>Since he states “her early grades are an ‘albatross’ she won’t be able to shed” he may think she might have difficulty transitioning to to a highly selective school if she had difficulty transistioning from middle school to high school. Since your private school is rigorous and selective your high school counselor is probably excellent and knows what he is saying.</p>
<p>I suggest you calculate your daughter’s academic GPA - leave out sports, arts, drama, etc. grades. I’d also calculate her GPA without her freshman year. Many colleges do discount freshman year as it is considered to be a transition year. This gives you an idea of where she really is GPA wise.</p>
<p>That being said there is no harm in applying to more selective schools - these would be considered her “reach” schools. Has the counselor asked for her resume, given you forms to complete, etc? Make certain he knows your daughter well - he is writing the counselor recommendation letter for her.</p>
<p>Make certain your daughter starts thinking about the essay she wants to write - you can check out books at the library that contain sample essays. The essay is her chance to paint a picture of who she is and what her passions are. </p>
<p>Be certain the two recommendation letters come from teachers in academic subjects who know her well and can write about her academic skills. After GPA and test scores colleges look at the essay and recommendation letters to see who the person is behind the grades.</p>
<p>And take a look at the tuition for out of state schools like U-Michigan. If you are going to pay out of state tuition you might want to consider a private university instead.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input, westcoast mom. I know that her guidance counsellor knows the school’s acceptance/denial rates. At this point I do too. I’ve looked at the naviance scattergrams far too many times. It just seems way to small a sample to make any real judgement on. My daughter will have a good essay and excellent recommendations. She’s a very quirky and creative kid who marches to her own drum and seems to be much appreciated at her school.</p>
<p>She’s open to all kinds of schools: public, private, big, small. One requirement: It can’t be in NJ. Another one: It can’t be “preppy” like her high school. We’re trying to help her narrow her focuse, but I don’t want to steer her in a direction of schools where she doesn’t have a chance at all.</p>
<p>NJMom- I sent you a Private Message.</p>
<p>Be careful when dealing with these freshman grades.</p>
<p>Although many schools don’t calculate it for GPA, it is not simply tucked under a rug. It is still seen.</p>
<p>You can be forgiven for weak freshman grades, however, if you add the reasoning for it in “Additional Information” or one of your essays. Doing so will allow the admissions officers to understand why the freshman grades are lower than the rest and thus take it in context.</p>