<p>Hi. I’m looking to major in Genetics or Molecular Biology (maybe double major), and I’m just wondering what my chances are at getting into Johns Hopkins. I have a very good idea of what I want to do for a living (genetic research) and what activities I will be participating in while there (likely band/orchestra stuff). But I had a terrible freshman year, so I’m afraid that will heavily affect my chances. Here is my transcript (so far).</p>
<p>Freshman year:</p>
<p>Horrible grades in all A and one Honors-level class. Mostly Cs and Ds due to laziness (except 4th marking period). No extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Electives were Band, Study Skills, and BASIC programming</p>
<p>Sophomore year:</p>
<p>All As and a few Bs in all A-level classes
Electives were Band, Music Theory, and Latin</p>
<p>Extracurriculars were marching band (pit), percussion ensemble, Forensics for about a month just to try it, and homeroom rep (not that big a deal though). I worked at a local supermarket over the summer, but quit at the end of August to focus on school.</p>
<p>Junior year:</p>
<p>So far:</p>
<p>English IIIA: A first marking period (due to a sub; my teacher was on leave); so far a B- second marking period
Chem H<em>: B first marking period, so far B+ second marking period
Genetics H</em>: B first marking period; B- second marking period (second semester Anatomy H<em>)
Algebra IIA: As both marking periods
Band: B+ last marking period; A- this one
Latin: A+ both marking periods
AP US History II H</em>: B last marking period, so far B+ but it’s likely an A- or an A at this point</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Marching band (pit), percussion ensemble, jazz band, principal player of one of the school’s bands, and the school newspaper (columnist). I may also get an internship over the summer.</p>
<p>Senior year: I may decide to triple up in science, which would mean I would take Honors Physics, AP Biology, and Organic Chem with second semester Analytical Chem. If I don’t triple up in sciences, I will take a second math, likely making my science/math classes Honors Physics, AP Bio or Organic Chem, Precalc A, and Stat A (possibly AP depending on how hard it is). I will also likely be section leader of pit for marching band, as I am the oldest person in my section and do not have very much competition for the position (not to mention the band staff has been prepping me all year). I may become an editor for a section of my school’s newspaper, but it is not likely as I have only been on it for one year.</p>
<p>Total AP classes: 1 (4 honors classes total so far; likely with a few more next year)</p>
<p>SAT scores: N/A, but I got an 1820 on my PSATs (89th percentile), with a 640 in Critical Reasoning, 550 in Mathematics, and 630 in Writing. I am taking a practice SAT exam tomorrow.</p>
<p>ACT scores: I will take them eventually, but have not yet. I will probably do better on the ACTs than the SATs because of the science section.</p>
<p>I do not know my current GPA, but I think it’s approaching a 3.5. Honors courses at my school count for one letter grade above what they would normally be; like a B+ is the equivalent of an A+ in an A-level class. An A is like a boosted A, which is essentially a 5.0 unweighted. My school does not have class ranking.</p>
<p>So what are my chances at getting into Johns Hopkins so far? And what can I do to improve these chances?</p>