<p>Hi I am a junior who has a 4.0 unweighted GPA so far. However this year seems particularly challenging to me as my teachers mostly depend on quizzes and tests for grades. Even though this is only the beginning of the year, I feel that I’m already stressed out because of my grades. I am starting to feel that I am too obssessed with maintaining my 4.0 GPA. I have already done badly on my first music test and I am worried that I will continue to do badly on future tests (This was a playing test so I didn’t have any ways to study for it.) </p>
<p>This problem is starting to affect my life to to the extent that I wish that I wouldn’t have to go to school at all. What do you guys think about this? Please give me your advice.</p>
<p>Just because you have a 4.0 won’t guarantee you getting into a tippy top college.
You have to take a rigorous academic schedule and that means taking risks and pushing yourself with multiple AP courses.
Others who make Bs in those APs will have a 4.0 because of weighted classes so your 4.0 is meaningless if all you take are regular classes and obsessing about having all As on your transcript.
Adcoms would rather see Bs in APs than As in regular classes.
Think about it.</p>
<p>I am taking the most rigorous schedule the school offers. More than half of my classes are AP classes. Thanks, I acknowledge that course rigor matters a lot in college admissions. That is precisely why I am concerned too much. I want to keep the record of unweighted 4.0 GPA while taking the most rigorous schedule. It has occurred to me recently, however, that I have been paying too much attention to my grades that it has become more of an obssession to me. :(</p>
<p>What you need to keep in mind is that GPA is just one data point. If you have 3.8 vs 4.0, 3.8 won’t disqualify you, and 4.0 won’t guarantee you admittance either. To have certain GPA and test scores will get you a seat to play, but it won’t mean you will win. Sometimes adcoms even look at someone with perfect GPA as someone who is too much of a drone, it is better to show a bit of imperfection.</p>
<p>An applicant with few Bs here and there, good test scores to match GPA, have passion for something, involved in the community has a better chance of getting into a top tier school than someone with 4.0 GPA, 2400 SAT and nothing else.</p>
<p>You are on the right track. Try to relax and enjoy your high school years.</p>
<p>Thank you oldfort, your words have greatly comforted me.
I have previously tried to act just like you said, but a huge amount of workload this year has led me to be stressed out again. I know that obsession leads to worse outcome so I will try to relax and concentrate on other things. Thank you so much again.</p>