GPA boost for senior year

vcent@2021

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Jun 11, 2016
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So junior year kicked me in the butt... For both semesters in my classes, ( 4 APs 1 honors) I received more Bs instead of As (two 89 percents that count as Bs) and I'm scared that my GPA is going to be my crutch during the admission process. Although I come from an academically rigorous school in Norcal, (we sent 3 students to Stanford) I fear that I'm not competitive enough even for prep-school. With the exception of a kick-ass CFA and ACT test scores and phenomenal extracurriculars, is there any hope in terms of the academic year?
 
I'm in a similar situation to yours. My unweighted cgpa is a 3.65 due to a crappy freshman year but I managed to get a 35 ACT so hopefully that helps. Remember that your GPA is only one number on your application. Admissions will see that your Bs were in tough classes and they won't really count against you. A B in an AP class is like an A in a normal class.

They will take everything into context when evaluating you. Just like they will see that my freshman year was bad but i improved afterwards, they will see that you were getting 89s in AP classes (which is still pretty good).
 
Admissions will take the rigor of your classes into account. Don't forget about class rank -- that is traditionally MORE important than GPA.
Continue to work hard during your senior year...you never know if admissions will want to see your first semester transcript...but I WOULD NOT lose sleep over this. Bs in AP classes isn't necessarily "bad."
 
would you be able to send the admissions office your first semester transcripts on your demand, or would they ask for it themselves?
 
You can...but if they don't ask for it...they don't need it and it is likely not to sway any decision. It is a long time between now and December.
 
You can...but if they don't ask for it...they don't need it and it is likely not to sway any decision. It is a long time between now and December.
Thanks for the assistance, I honestly shouldn't psyche myself out too much, and give it my best shot until the end of High school.
 
I'm in a similar situation to yours. My unweighted cgpa is a 3.65 due to a crappy freshman year but I managed to get a 35 ACT so hopefully that helps. Remember that your GPA is only one number on your application. Admissions will see that your Bs were in tough classes and they won't really count against you. A B in an AP class is like an A in a normal class.

They will take everything into context when evaluating you. Just like they will see that my freshman year was bad but i improved afterwards, they will see that you were getting 89s in AP classes (which is still pretty good).
Thanks for the positive vibes. Good luck on your app process, and Beat Army, as always.
 
I agree with usnabgo08 regarding losing sleep over this.

I also would say that you need to do some investigation to understand the prep school appointment system. The prep system is for candidates that they feel need one more year academically to get on par with direct admits, at least that is true for USAFA. It is not like a beauty pageant and they are the 2nd runner up.
~ I.E. Let's assume 1300 are offered appointments. You are number 1301 on their list. That does not mean as number 1301 you will get a prep slot instead of the Thin White Envelope (TWE). Reason why can come down simply to the fact that you do not meet their constraints for prep school because you kick a** on the ACT, have a high enough cgpa and ECs for a direct admit to USNA from a HS that sends kids to Ivy League colleges, but overall they did not have enough appointment slots to offer you a direct admit. Hence, to them you don't need that 1 yr of prep academically to be on par with direct admits, and now are not within their admission constraints for prep.
~~ Not to divert or start a firestorm, but many prep students are not kids with high cgpas, kick butt ACT/SAT scores, and strong CFAs. Nor are they kick butt ACT, cgpa and crappy CFA. More likely than not, they are prior Enlisted that have been out of school for a couple of years, or candidates that need another year academically. IE...not all AP classes offered by the school and a 32 ACT best sitting, 34 Superscore.

CA is competitive. The MoCs spread the wealth. IOWS they talk and do not expect more than 1 nomination. Be smart and apply for the NROTC scholarship. Also get your medical records in order now since you will need to do a DoDMERB exam, and as a long time poster I can tell you that if you have something on your records after the age of 13 you may get hit with a remedial at best and asking for a waiver at worst.
~ Braces, Broken arm/leg, 1 concussion and back to school 2 days later are nothing to worry about. Ritalin until 18 months ago....different story.
 
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I agree with usnabgo08 regarding losing sleep over this.

I also would say that you need to do some investigation to understand the prep school appointment system. The prep system is for candidates that they feel need one more year academically to get on par with direct admits, at least that is true for USAFA. It is not like a beauty pageant and they are the 2nd runner up.
~ I.E. Let's assume 1300 are offered appointments. You are number 1301 on their list. That does not mean as number 1301 you will get a prep slot instead of the Thin White Envelope (TWE). Reason why can come down simply to the fact that you do not meet their constraints for prep school because you kick a** on the ACT, have a high enough cgpa and ECs for a direct admit to USNA from a HS that sends kids to Ivy League colleges, but overall they did not have enough appointment slots to offer you a direct admit. Hence, to them you don't need that 1 yr of prep academically to be on par with direct admits, and now are not within their admission constraints for prep.
~~ Not to divert or start a firestorm, but many prep students are not kids with high cgpas, kick butt ACT/SAT scores, and strong CFAs. Nor are they kick butt ACT, cgpa and crappy CFA. More likely than not, they are prior Enlisted that have been out of school for a couple of years, or candidates that need another year academically. IE...not all AP classes offered by the school and a 32 ACT best sitting, 34 Superscore.

CA is competitive. The MoCs spread the wealth. IOWS they talk and do not expect more than 1 nomination. Be smart and apply for the NROTC scholarship. Also get your medical records in order now since you will need to do a DoDMERB exam, and as a long time poster I can tell you that if you have something on your records after the age of 13 you may get hit with a remedial at best and asking for a waiver at worst.
~ Braces, Broken arm/leg, 1 concussion and back to school 2 days later are nothing to worry about. Ritalin until 18 months ago....different story.
Thanks for the words of wisdom; how about the foundation program?
 
FWIW, DS was appointed with a 3.65 at an academically rigorous school and no class rank (school refuse to do it.). Good luck.
 
FWIW, DS was appointed with a 3.65 at an academically rigorous school and no class rank (school refuse to do it.). Good luck.
Unfortunately, my GPA is a 3.4 unweighted (9-11). Ill give it my best shot for senior year, and I appreciate the morale boost.
 
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