High School Grades and College question

[VegetarianKitty]

I've really struggled with school during the last semester of high school, I couldn't keep focused. Near the end I could focus more and I think I'm fine now. I did very well on my midterms but I'm unsure of how much they effect. Yet my semester grades are horrible! My grades before then where mostly A's and some B's. I'm a sophomore, but how badly could these grades effect my getting into college?

 

[Timmothy]

If you do good on your ACT, or your SAT, if you take them, it should affect them to much..

 

[VegetarianKitty]

Thanks and Happy birthday!!!

 

[awesome liver]

public college -- grades what?

private college -- we're tough cos we're the opposite of nice.

 

[fishstix]

I've really struggled with school during the last semester of high school, I couldn't keep focused. Near the end I could focus more and I think I'm fine now. I did very well on my midterms but I'm unsure of how much they effect. Yet my semester grades are horrible! My grades before then where mostly A's and some B's. I'm a sophomore, but how badly could these grades effect my getting into college?

I'm not entirely sure how American universities work, but my understanding is that most of them focus more on SAT or ACT scores. In Canada, I know that universities generally look at high school grades. However, they don't necessarily look at every single class that one has taken, but only at specific classes that they consider to be prerequisites for the program one is applying for. Most of those classes will be grade 12 classes; some will be grade 11 classes. Few if any will be grade 10 classes - which I assume is what you mean by sophomore. So, if the American way of looking at grades is anything like the Canadian way, and considering that they are more likely to be looking at other things than grades, you probably don't have much to worry about.

Besides, you can't change what is past. Focus on doing your best in the classes that you are taking now and in the future and don't worry about what you can't change.

 

[JonF]

In high school I got almost all C’s. After high school I went to the local JC and got almost A’s and a few B’s. When it was time to transfer I got accepted to every college I applied to schools like: Irvine, UCLA, Cal Poly.

High school grades make almost no difference if you go to something like a JC or a CSU first. If you plan on attending a good university or a private school straight out of high school grades mater a lot.

Also what major you declare a lot (at least for transferring). My major is pure math and I only need like a 3.2 gpa to get into good schools. When I transferred my girlfriend at the time need a 3.8 gpa to get into the same schools as an engineer.

 

[bliz]

Former admissions rep here...

You still have lots of semesters to get your grades back on track, and that is what will make the difference. If your grades stay where they are - problem. If they gat back where they have been in the past, all will be well.

You should know that different colleges look at grades and SAT/ACT scores differently. Some colleges look carefully at both, some favor gardes over SATs and others, the other way around. There is actually a small but growing trend these days for colleges to no longer require SAT or ACT scores as their research has shown that HS grades ae the best predictor of college performance.

However, no matter what kind of school you are applying to (unless you are talking very elite) there is lots of time to get back on track and open any door you want to walk through.

 

[seamonster]

Getting As and Bs in high school is obviously pretty good. Most public colleges in-state require a 2.0 entrance GPA, and most out-of-state require a 2.5. Obviously, they also look at your SATs and ACTs, but like was mentioned before, if you go to a community college first they won't be looking at your high school stuff.

 

[GuidingStar]

Getting As and Bs is a good start for college. Just keep going that route and you should be fine.

 

[CandleLightSky]

public college -- grades what?

private college -- we're tough cos we're the opposite of nice.

hahaha...that is so true!

I had good grades and all but it did not really matter because I did well on SAT and I could have gotten much worse grades and still gotten in.

To the OP:

A few bad grades shouldn't hurt you too much unless your trying to go Ivy League or something. You shouldn't be making them a habit though.

Do well on your SAT, take a class or do whatever you need to do well(without cheating).

This is a BIG thing: Be involved in your school and show interest, join clubs, take a leadership position if you feel so inclined, and have lots of fun. If your more involved High School will go better for you and though it is sometimes annoying you usually end up having lots of fun too and make friends which is always good. A lot of colleges who may not accept certain grades otherwise will reconsider if you have been involved in your school and do well on SAT or ACT or whatever you end up taking.

Hope this helps, do well but don't worry about it too much till the time comes, but start getting involved now and when it comes time to buckle down and study for SAT then DO IT!

That's all I can tell yah. Hope this helps. Don't feel too bad about slipping on the grades, you cannot do anything about it now.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

It all depends upon the college you want to get into. It isn't a simple "it's okay/it's not okay" question. The better you do the more options you have.

 

[FaithfulServant]

Most private schools - as long as you can spell 'CAT' and will pay us our extremely high tuition fees we will let you in.

Most public universities - Harder to get in, the ones here in Texas sometimes you have to be in the Top 10% or be a minority to get in. Some are easier to get in, but SAT and GPA are still important.

I would say GPA counts for 50 - 60% of your chances of getting into public schools. SAT is 10 - 20% and extracuricular activities are like 30 or so %.

 

[VegetarianKitty]

You guys have been a big help and I'm going to look into the requirements for the colleges I'm interested in.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

I love that.... "you have to be in the top 10% of your class or a minority."

 

[bliz]

Most private schools - as long as you can spell 'CAT' and will pay us our extremely high tuition fees we will let you in.

Most public universities - Harder to get in, the ones here in Texas sometimes you have to be in the Top 10% or be a minority to get in. Some are easier to get in, but SAT and GPA are still important.

I would say GPA counts for 50 - 60% of your chances of getting into public schools. SAT is 10 - 20% and extracuricular activities are like 30 or so %.

This is all so much nonsense. Are there colleges that match these profiles? Sure. Does this describe the situation at most private and public colleges and universities? Hardly! The Texas public uiversity system is unique and is hardly representetive of higher education in the US.

 

[FaithfulServant]

This is all so much nonsense. Are there colleges that match these profiles? Sure. Does this describe the situation at most private and public colleges and universities? Hardly! The Texas public uiversity system is unique and is hardly representetive of higher education in the US.

It's nonsense that you ignored that I said this is how it is in TEXAS.

 

[thepinkpencil3]

As bliz said... focus on doing your best in the next 2 years of high school. I know that personally, my sophomore year grades are less than average for myself, but I got over that slump and pushed myself to do better 11th grade, and hoping my classes don't overwhelm me for the next marking period. Unfortunately, a lot of colleges do weigh the SAT or ACT fairly heavily.... which stinks. I'm not good at timed tests and definitely did not do as well as I'd hoped, but colleges tend to look at both. My "not super great" SAT scores should equal out nicely with my "very very good" grades in high school and on statewide standardized tests... good luck in high school!

 

[thepinkpencil3]

I love that.... "you have to be in the top 10% of your class or a minority."

Unfortunately, it's true. Some schools (particularly the state college in my local city) want to develop the diverse label that they accept hundreds (if not thousands) of minority students that don't necessarily always live up to the normal admission standards that others have to meet.

I don't want to sound mean... It's just an observation of my local college...

 

[FaithfulServant]

Unfortunately, it's true. Some schools (particularly the state college in my local city) want to develop the diverse label that they accept hundreds (if not thousands) of minority students that don't necessarily always live up to the normal admission standards that others have to meet.

I don't want to sound mean... It's just an observation of my local college...

Its true for the surroundinmg universities in my area also.

 

[skatepixie]

As long as you get 3.0+ for your cum, you will be okay. You still have junior year. I made a lot of bad choices at a Sophmore, and I now have really good grades. My cum is a 3.1, and I was accepted into Concordia University Irvine.