Hi, I am an Asian student that is entering the 10th grade next year, and I am really falling behind the other Asians in terms of academics.
My freshman GPA is around a 3.6 ( 89-90) average and I only took one honors class (Global 1 Honors). I will be taking AP World next year, and Algebra II which means I am on track to take Calculus senior year.
However, my biology average of 84 prevents me from taking Chemistry in 10th grade, which also means I can’t take a AP science course in 11th grade. My teacher made it extremely difficult for me to get a good grade in biology, no matter how hard I studied for tests. I also had a hard time managing between school work and swimming, as my dream is to swim for an Ivy League school.
With these grades, I am probably nowhere near of getting in. My guidance counselor recommends that I take Earth science next year, which I don’t want to take because I am not interested in that topic. This also means I can’t take an AP science until 12th grade. He says I have to be patient and take chemistry in 11th grade, because he believes I will do better and thinks I won’t do as well in 10th grade. He believes I will get 95+ in both classes, which will set me up for an AP in 12th grade. I believe I will fall behind, but he insists I won’t.
Back in middle school, I did well on chemistry and physics tests but did struggle on biology and earth science tests. He still insisted I should be patient. It is really frustrating to see kids in other biology classes getting easier tests doing better than me and having a lower math and being able to take chemistry.
What should I do next? How can I manage and how much will it effect me? I hear many good colleges like Brown would like to see good grades in challenging classes. Engineering, a field that I might go in needs physics and chemistry, and I want to take it earlier. This also prevents me from taking SAT IIs in those subjects, which I should take junior year but I won’t be able to if I have to take earth science. Will I really fall behind the other Asians who are taking way advanced classes than me? It is really stressing me out.
I think your counselor’s idea has merit. There’s no shame in waiting a grade to take a class, especially if it will likely end up getting you a better grade in the end. We all have subjects that we are weaker in than others!
Your freshman GPA is just fine, btw. It’s good to see that you’re invested in your academics and, but try not to worry too much about them. It sounds like your counselor has your back.
Earth science was a really easy class for me. I just took it this year and I had a 95 throughout the entire year (didn’t study one bit), and got a perfect score on the final exam and the state-wide SOL. I mean, it’s all up to you though, as the class might be easy for me, but more difficult for others. Anyways, unless you really tryhard the next 3 years, your chances at the Ivies are next to impossible. This can also be a good thing though, because certain colleges like to see an upward trend! Assuming you get a 3.9 GPA in sophomore year, and a 4.0 GPA in junior year, your GPA will be around 3.8 by the end of 11th grade. In addition to all of that, you score a solid 1500 on the SAT. All in all, those are good stats, but as an asian male (I’m assuming you’re a male, apologies if I’m mistaken) looking to major in engineering at an Ivy league school, that’s hardly competitive. To make you competitive at all, your recommendation letters and essay has to be outstanding. You also need good ECs as these show colleges what you’re passionate about. With all of that being said, you don’t HAVE to go to one of the Ivies, I’m sure there are plenty of other good engineering schools. I’m also considering engineering, but I’m not quite sure yet, as it’s a bit too early for me to decide (I’m still 13, lol), and I’m going to be honest, the only reason I’m even slightly interested is because of the income. My mom has work WAY too hard for me (9 to 11 hours a day, every day except for Sunday), so I want to support her once I graduate from college and old enough to make good money.
You will, and thank you for your good advice. I wish you strong as well.
No.
Now if your question asked if your 3.6 GPA will affect your chances, you might get a different answer. Additionally, when you are writing your admissions essays, please remember that paragraphs are your friend. Good luck.
One excellent hook you can develop in the next year or so is your swimming. If you are good enough to be recruit for swimming, then even without stellar grades you may have a better chance of being accepted into an academically elite school. Unfortunately as a Asian, esp if you are a male, just good grades and semi-impressive ECs will be a disadvantage as far as admissions is concerned. Being a recruited athlete will give you a tremendous advantage and leverage when it comes to Ivy admissions.