<p>Sorry this is long, but I’d like some serious and honest answers please. Thank you for taking the time to read!</p>
<p>I’m a junior at a very well respected public high school (ranked among the top 15 schools in our state, including privates). I attended a tiny Christian grade school until 8th grade where I excelled in academics. Switching to the public high school in 9th grade was a bit of a culture shock but I adapted well. I maintained about a 3.8 GPA freshman year. I’m a very strong student in English and history, not at all strong in math and science. My GPA has been steadily dropping since freshman year due to the math and sciences, and, depending on how well I do on my chemistry and trigonometry finals this week, I will be sitting somewhere between a 3.0 and 3.4 GPA at the end of junior year. Not ideal. </p>
<p>As a freshman, my only advanced class was Enriched English, but I did get straight As in my other classes. I excelled in the English class, and due to test scores and performance there, I was chosen along with around 20 more kids (my class has about 230 kids) to completely skip Enriched English 10 and go straight to the advanced course for juniors as a sophomore (AP English Lit). I did this and excelled there as well (A in the class and a 4 on the AP test) I also was offered enrollment in AP US history sophomore year (C+ first semester, B second semester, and a 3 on the AP test). Sophomore math was my downfall. I had an A in Geometry freshman year and was encouraged to try out Honors Algebra 2 sophomore year. I was in no way prepared for the rigor of the course. Math is just not my thing. I got a D that semester and immediately switched to regular Algebra 2 second semester where I got a B. It was that D in math and the average grade in AP US, along with a C in an elective Architecture class that was just not my thing, that killed my GPA. Since then, I’ve struggled significantly more in math, (Bs and Cs) likely due to missing out on the foundations of Algebra 2 as I was so confused during the honors course. </p>
<p>Basically, my argument is that I am a strong student, with special talents in English, but due to my sliding grades in math and science I am worried that my transcript/GPA will keep me out of good colleges. (I don’t want Harvard or anything, but I was hoping for a decent private the likes of Drake or Butler). I got a 29 on the ACT (31 English, 31 Reading, 27 Math, 25 Science, 10 Writing) without any prep, and am retaking it this weekend hoping for a 31-33. </p>
<p>ECs
very involved member of yearbook staff (which is application only) since sophomore year (was not offered as a freshman). I was the index/folio manager this year and have been appointed Assistant-Editor-in-Chief for senior year. </p>
<p>very involved member of the newspaper staff since freshman year (this year I was the Copy Chief and will remain in an editorial position next year)</p>
<p>member of German club for 2 years</p>
<p>I have taught Sunday school for three years and will continue to do so senior year. I have been very involved in my church with various activities such as teaching Vacation Bible Schools, remaining active in the youth group (I served as Vice President sophomore year), and various volunteer opportunities within the church. I also did junior counseling for a few weeks in the summer both freshman and sophomore year. I would have done it this year, but I’m going on a school trip to Europe that conflicts. </p>
<p>2 months ago I was hired as a receptionist at a well-respected real estate company, where I hope to remain employed through the rest of high school.</p>
<p>I haven’t won any awards or performed in any concerts, but I have remained an active student in piano since the second grade, and am very passionate about playing just as a hobby. The same goes for my interest in photography which I’ve been nurturing for several years now. No fancy awards or anything, but I am passionate about it.</p>
<p>I will be able to get some really great letters of rec. I’m very well liked and respected by teachers and advisers. I am also a very strong writer and will be able to write great essays. My GPA is the problem. Please tell me what my options are. Can I make it into a good private school (again, I don’t need an Ivy-League, just somewhere respectable and hopefully a bit above average)? Or am I stuck with state schools?</p>
<p>Also, my intended major is journalism or communications, and I hope to stay in the Midwest.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for taking the time to read and advise!</p>