I'm currently a junior in high school. My GPA after the end of sophomore year was about a 2.8... but this last semester I got straight A's (one of my classes being AP, another being honors). I'm also maintaining these good grades. Next year, I'm going to apply to college. I've been in the school band since freshman year, I have over 100 community service hours, and I've also recently joined DECA. My dream is to get into the University of Washington, but I fear that this college won't see my potential because of my first two years of high school. I was just wondering If i still have a chance at getting into this school, and if I do, what more could I do to ensure my acceptance?Thanks. Created by Panda. education-reference-import - higher-education-university--import

If I screwed up freshman and sophomore year of high school, could I still get into a university?

May 2021 6 120 Report

If I screwed up freshman and sophomore year of high school, could I still get into a university?

I'm currently a junior in high school. My GPA after the end of sophomore year was about a 2.8... but this last semester I got straight A's (one of my classes being AP, another being honors). I'm also maintaining these good grades. Next year, I'm going to apply to college. I've been in the school band since freshman year, I have over 100 community service hours, and I've also recently joined DECA. My dream is to get into the University of Washington, but I fear that this college won't see my potential because of my first two years of high school. I was just wondering If i still have a chance at getting into this school, and if I do, what more could I do to ensure my acceptance?

Thanks

Education & Reference / Higher Education (University +)

Anonymous

Verified answer

If that is a state university, then yes you should get in without any problems. Colleges generally care MORE about extracurricular activities like band and community service than they do about grades. They will also care more about your SAT score than your grades. I know people in my graduating class with 2.5 averages who got into state schools; their standards are not high.

Also, if you take AP and honors classes and your school uses a weighted GPA program, your As will count as 5.0s on your GPA instead of 4.0s, thus further negating your past grades.

Tom

First, schedule a couple of AP/Honors classes for next year, if you have the chance. Keep working to raise your GPA - obviously you are smart enough, based on last semester - and stay involved in the volunteer work and extra curriculars.

You can also let UW know you're interested. Visit the campus this year if you can (make an appointment with an admissions officer in advance); at the very least, contact the admissions office and ask for information about applying and try to find out if their admissions office will be at any college fairs in your area this year.

Talk to your high school counselor about ways to prepare for standardized tests. High SAT/ACT scores can certainly help offset a somewhat lower GPA.

Finally - and this may sound a little weird - take a look at this year's UW application and the essay prompts. Because the university itself has reported this about their admissions to the College Board:

"Very important admission factors: Application Essay; Rigor of secondary school record; Academic GPA

Important admission factors: Extracurricular Activities; Standardized Test Scores; Talent/Ability; Volunteer Work; Work Experience; First generation college student"

- you may want a head start on the essay for next fall.

UW's admissions rate is 61% - not a slam dunk, but far from exclusive. Your trend in grades is very positive and colleges DO notice and care about that more than they do a bad freshman year. I think you still have a very real shot at being in Seattle in the fall of 2011.

initially, kiddo, Stanford isn't an Ivy. Sorry if I look slightly harsh, yet judging by using your poor grammar utilization, you do not look too sharp. there are a number of stuff to evaluate here.. a million. have you ever been taking the toughest training presented to you? If not, you will maximum probable be thrown into the reject pile. 2. What do do exterior of faculty? you will need significant achievements for Stanford adcoms to push aside a mediocre transcript. 3. Are you a URM? (Black, Hispanic or interior of sight American) 4. Are you an athlete? in case you do not take the toughest training and shelter a extreme GPA next year and in the 1st semester of your senior year, then you rather have not got any probability at Stanford or any suited-tier college (to boot to scoring extreme on your SAT or ACT... 2100/2200+ on SAT, 33+ on your ACT) P.S. Princeton and Stanford do not incorporate freshman grades of their calculation of applicants' UW GPAs. enable me comprehend in case you will like extra training. i'd be happy that may additionally assist you. bear in mind that tens of hundreds marvelous applicants persist with to those colleges each and in step with annum. Why would Stanford want you? you're able to convince the adcoms why you belong there.

Protem

Don't fret. You are on the right path and doing very well. Just keep up the good work! From your question, it is obvious that you are intelligent, and have begun to take charge of your life, and steer it in the direction that will take you forward in life.

Talk w/ you school counselor for any additional suggestions, but from where I sit you are on track for the U ( and any number of other very good schools).

Just stay the course!