The Grade Curve + Out Of State Q's?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello fellow posters,</p>

<p>I am currently a sophomore in high school. I live in Massachusetts, and attend a very competitive high school (top 100 public’s in the country a few times over the past few years). First question-- does my school really count? It has been recognized for its performing arts program (something I am very involved in), and for its academics, and I was wondering if that would make a difference. I had a rough freshman year (4.22 W / 3.4 UW), but I’m off to a very good start this year (4.6 W / 3.68 UW), and rising. I am ultimately trying to get recruited for lightweight rowing (male), and was wondering how my “progress” affects me. Will colleges pay attention to my freshman grades, even though it yanks down my GPA overall? Or will they account for my progress and be forgiving? On a slightly unrelated note, I am extremely interested in going to Cal Berkeley-- how do my grades influence that? I don’t mean for this to be a “what are my chances”, but overall, how does living on the east coast influence my acceptance at west coast schools? </p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated,</p>

<p>LightweightDream</p>

2

<p>Berkeley would love to have you since you would be full pay. UCs don’t include freshman grades in their GPAs but you need to read the A-G requirements to make sure you fulfill them. Other schools like a rising GPA.</p>

3

<p>This may be a little late, but also there is no lightweight crew at UC Berkeley, or anywhere in the UC system. You would have to be extremely strong as a lightweight to be recruited to UC Berkeley. Grades have to be good, but not like at the Ivies or other top academic schools.</p>