Upward Trend?

Applying to College
1

Hello, Peeps of college confidential.
I just have a few questions to ask so here’s my spiel. I attend a top 5 public school in New Jersey(J.P. Stevens High School) (Not including Private, academies and boarding) So my Freshman year (I’m a sophomore), I got ill (Bronchitis flared up as well as my asthma). As a result, I was ill for nearly 3 months and had to miss 17 days of school last year. As a result, I performed poorly in school with a 2.9 GPA with 4 honors classes. This year, I have been a lot healthier and performed much better with no absences and a 3.8 GPA but with only 2 honors classes and 1 AP class. I am taking 4 AP’s and one honors course next year. I was wondering if colleges would factor in my EC’s, a strong sat score (1510 with no prep… starting prep classes in summer) and upwards trend. My EC’s include:
Guitar Ensemble.
2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
250 Hours volunteering at a community center
50 hours volunteering at a Physical Therapist
Part of ACE mentor program
Play rec basketball for 4 years (Can’t join school team due to asthma)
I am trilingual (Fluent speaking in English and Telugu. Fluent writing English and Hindi)
Did FLL robotics for 2 years and am mentoring the elementary school team next year
Do Play trumpet (Not good at it, haven’t been in band since middle school)
I am in Tri-M music honors society and NHS (Next year)
I am certificated as a front-end web developer from Freecodecamp

This is the list of colleges I am looking to apply to (I am planning on going into either Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Aerospace Engineering):
In-State= Rowan University, Rutgers New Brunswick, NJIT,
Out of State= UC Berkley (Cuz they don’t look at freshman year), Purdue West Lafayette, UIUC, UMich, Penn State, Ohio State, Georgia Tech
Private= Stevens Institute of Technology, USC, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Rensselaer(Maybe)

Thanks for reading my way to long of a post xD

2

Rowan all the way. You need to visit. Amazing new engineering facility and freshman dorms. I loved it. My top choice to apply next year followed by TCNJ. Rowan is one of the few schools in country to offer a combined electrical/computer engineering degree and is ranked 22 in country for undergrad engineering no doctorate. All for around 30k total cost of attendance. It was recommended by my guidance counselor as well as a number of others. I was unaware of Rowan’s rising reputation in engineering. When my parents and I visited we were stunned at the value offered for the price. Good luck

3

I visited Rowan during their spring open house this year. I am interested in doing the 3-year bachelor’s program in the ECE course there. The only issue for me is that unlike other instate colleges, I would need to dorm at Rowan (I live 2 hours away) which would increase the cost.

4

Yes, college admissions are most usually holistic, so they will take into account your EC’s, SAT scores, recommendations, hooks, etc. in addition to your GPA. While an upward trend is definitely better than a downward trend, it usually isn’t enough to make up for a low overall GPA. If you get a 4.0 your junior year, you will have a 3.56, which isn’t too bad, but it might be hard to get into some of the schools on your list.

5

Have your GC mention that you were sick freshman year in their recommendation.

6

@nukemaster True. I look at residence requirement as added education and an invitation to get involved. Do you want college to feel like a job?

7

Update:
I just got a 750 on my US History subject test which is pretty average. RIp Me