<p>To the experienced and knowledgeable parents on this board:
Another lost high school student has questions.
How much will an upward grade trend matter in admissions? A mixture of A’s and B’s and a C or two in fresh/soph year and almost all A’s in junior/senior year how does that look? My current high school is academically strong, competive in the state, I don’t know about in the nation. Combined with SAT scores in the 1500s, strong essays, ECs, and recs? My current favorite is one of the Ivies, not HYP. Do I have a chance at all? If I apply ED? Or should I wait for further grade improvement/class rank and apply RD?
Also how best to explain “smart slacker syndrome”? Should I get my GC to mention how my last school wasn’t that strong academics-wise or just leave it? Also should my moving from another country during high school be a plus or a minus concerning my grades, although I already possessed decent English skills? (X-posted)
Thank you.</p>
<p>Not sure…but isn’t it getting a bit too late to apply ED?</p>
<p>Oh sorry… I’m a junior currently.</p>
<p>anything your GC can mention to explain away the grades will be a plus in mitigating the slacker apperance. good luck</p>
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<p>Sorry…that is why I was confused. If you are a junior, at many colleges you will be required to take the new SAT which is on a 2400 point scale. Is your 1500 a score you already have received or is this an estimate? Re: your chances at any one of the Ivies…I’m not an expert on their criteria for acceptance. But they are ALL competitive schools. Many top students get accepted, and many do not. Having said that, if you don’t apply, you can’t get accepted. If you think you might change your mind, or you might need to compare finaid packages you should not apply ED. Also, unless you are absolutely sure that this school is the one…I wouldn’t apply ED either. Are you looking for other universities that might meet your criteria? I think I would be doing that as well.</p>
<p>My son had one C, mostly Bs and some As in 9th grade, then some Bs and mostly As in 10th, then mostly As in 11th–and went to MIT at the end of 11th. Great SATs and ECs, though. There are certainly schools that look at the trend!</p>
<p>thumper1, I haven’t taken the SAT yet. I’m taking my first one in Jan. My estimate was based on my PSAT scores. Yes, I know the importance of having a good safety school or two. The flagship state school in my state is good, and I liked it enough to possibly go there, although it wouldn’t be my first choice. I’m looking for a medium-size school/LACs, urban/suburban, non-religious, low # of frats , preferably in the NE part of the country although I’m open to the SE/places in the midwest. I want to major in English/history/classics or something along those lines. Do you know of any match/safety schools that would fit my critera?</p>
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<p>What about Trinity in Hartford? Also there are a TON of liberal arts colleges (not sure about the majors…but they are fine schools nonetheless). Wheaton, Skidmore, Stonehill are three I can think of right now. If you go into NY or PA…you could add schools like Hamilton, Union, Bucknell, Lafayette, Lehigh, etc.</p>
<p>Be alert…as a junior the colleges will likely REQUIRE you to take the new SAT which is not administered until March 2005. DD has been to 7 college presentations and ALL will require the new test. Some will allow scores from the old test, but the new test is still required because of the essay component.</p>