Extremely bad second semester GPA junior year.

lillian

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Jun 14, 2013
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I have always had pretty good grades and I ended the first semester of my junior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.67. This semester (the second semester of my junior year) .....I got a 2.7. Do I still have any chance at all? As far as I know, the junior year is supposed to be the most important as far as admission goes..
 
3 things.

1. I assume the 2.7 GPA is for the semester. Not cumulative. You'd have to fail everything to drop the cumulative that low.
2. I can guarantee you 100% that you won't receive an appointment if you don't apply. So why ask if you have a chance? If you apply, you have a chance. Having said that, I know first hand, some with a 4.0 GPA who didn't receive an appointment, while some with a 3.1 GPA did. Its the whole person, not just your GPA.
3. This is most important. Is your junior year all over? Are the grades final? Is there anything you can do to improve the grade, such as summer makeup classes? If the answer is no, then put it behind you. There isn't anything you can do about it. So why worry about it? Its over with. Deal with the things you can control. Like aiming for a 4.0 GPA your 1st semester of your senior year. Appointments aren't given out usually until march or April. The academy will see the grades for the 1st semester.

Now. Relax. Get over it. Understand what you can control and what you can't. Now, enjoy your summer vacation.
 
1. I assume the 2.7 GPA is for the semester. Not cumulative. You'd have to fail everything to drop the cumulative that low.

Yes. That is my semester GPA. I think that means my cumulative GPA is now somewhere between 3.4 and 3.6 now.
 
2. I can guarantee you 100% that you won't receive an appointment if you don't apply. So why ask if you have a chance? If you apply, you have a chance. Having said that, I know first hand, some with a 4.0 GPA who didn't receive an appointment, while some with a 3.1 GPA did. Its the whole person, not just your GPA.
I have already applied, but at the time I had much better stats. As far as other admissions factors are concerned I'm doing reasonably well, and my
SAT scores are excellent.
 
3 things.


3. This is most important. Is your junior year all over? Are the grades final? Is there anything you can do to improve the grade, such as summer makeup classes? If the answer is no, then put it behind you. There isn't anything you can do about it. So why worry about it? Its over with. Deal with the things you can control. Like aiming for a 4.0 GPA your 1st semester of your senior year. Appointments aren't given out usually until march or April. The academy will see the grades for the 1st semester.

Now. Relax. Get over it. Understand what you can control and what you can't. Now, enjoy your summer vacation.
Yes. Today was the last day. I don't believe makeup classes can do anything really since I didn't fail any classes. I received two Ds, two Cs, and three As. But I am taking classes this summer to free up my schedule a little next year so I don't get overloaded with homework. I believe I can get a 4.0 the first semester of my senior year. Will that help much?
 
Any ideas to what caused the drop? Were you taking harder classes? Were their outside factors playing a role? I would say that you could write about it in your "overcoming obstacles" essay but if you've already applied you could probably just talk about that during your ALO interview.

Just as CC said, some kids with a 4.0 don't get in and some kids with lower GPAs do get in. My academics weren't the strongest and I really struggled through some of my classes, however, I was really involved with extra-curriculars and other admissions aspects so I really think that almost "made up for it" for lack of a better term.

Basically if you just do your best that's all you can do. Work hard next year and good luck!
 
It's a shame you had the GPA drop junior year instead of freshman year, but as the other posters have said, bust your butt for a 4.0 and get any extra credit you can.

If your SAT scores really are excellent (700+ across the board), that will help too. If they're not there yet, take some serious time and bring up those scores.
 
Any ideas to what caused the drop? Were you taking harder classes? Were their outside factors playing a role? I would say that you could write about it in your "overcoming obstacles" essay but if you've already applied you could probably just talk about that during your ALO interview.

Just as CC said, some kids with a 4.0 don't get in and some kids with lower GPAs do get in. My academics weren't the strongest and I really struggled through some of my classes, however, I was really involved with extra-curriculars and other admissions aspects so I really think that almost "made up for it" for lack of a better term.

Basically if you just do your best that's all you can do. Work hard next year and good luck!
This summer I went from living with my paternal grandparents (that I had lived with for ten years) to living with my maternal grandparents (who I hadn't seen at all for those ten years). At first, they weren't really strict and just let us do our activities and get our schoolwork done. So the first semester, I did fine. Then they got more demanding and asked that we do a lot more chores and spend more time with them regardless of whether or not it meant neglecting homework. I eventually got all the work done, sneaking in some late night homework by flashlight light, but it was late. And my teacher's give D's for late work. So that's how I ended up with two D's, a C, and three A's this semester. That and I had social workers and counselors and stuff showing up all the time and making me talk to them for hours. But I feel like that makes it sound like I'm blaming my grades on other people too much...
 
It's a shame you had the GPA drop junior year instead of freshman year, but as the other posters have said, bust your butt for a 4.0 and get any extra credit you can.

If your SAT scores really are excellent (700+ across the board), that will help too. If they're not there yet, take some serious time and bring up those scores.

Yes, that was one of the main reasons I was concerned, because it makes it look like I'm just another good student that got lazy. I'm getting my SAT scores in four days, and I'm pretty sure there is no way I got any lower than a 2000 composite score. I think I'll probably get somewhere in the 2100-2300 range. Will that really help a lot? I'm good at standardized testing. I did fairly well on the PSAT and started getting letters from Ivy League schools. And I took the ASVAB just for fun and got a 94. Do SATs make a lot of difference even if you don't have very good grades?
 
if you haven't had your ALO interview yet I would definitely recommend talking to them about that... I know you don't want to blame other people or whatever but it really is a factor.
 
Lillian. This isn't a pep talk. (I'm not really good at those). But you and your story are exactly the type of individual the academy and the military want. You've had adversity. You've had many challenges in your life. Many experience. You are determined to do great things with yourself. You've proved that with your past grades and accomplishments. So when you fill out the academy application and interview with your ALO and congressman/senators, be proud of what you've overcome.

Now, make your mind up; enjoy the summer; settle in; be determined; and KICK SOME A$s. Whether it's at the academy, ROTC, or a traditional university, you're going to do just fine. So, now, it's your turn. It has to be ALL FOR YOU. Don't do it for anybody else. I get a good feeling that great things are coming your way. Just plant your feet, look forward, and enjoy the ride. You've got a great life in front of you. Best of luck. Mike....
 
CC, nicely done for someone who's not good at them. :wink:


Lillian, for what it's worth I totally agree with CC. You sound like an exceptional young woman who will not let adversity get her down. Big things are in your future... just don't forget to find a little time for fun and being a kid too. :) Good luck!
 
I'm getting my SAT scores in four days, and I'm pretty sure there is no way I got any lower than a 2000 composite score. I think I'll probably get somewhere in the 2100-2300 range. Will that really help a lot?

Nobody except admissions knows exactly how things are weighted or how they evaluate high school transcripts, so I can't say how much good(great) SAT scores will help.

2000 is good, 2200 is better, but the most important piece is making sure you have consistently high scores, especially in math. It's harder if you have a 2000 with a 700 in reading and a 5-something in math.

So just focus in on the things you can control at this point, like CC said. Get amazing grades and 700+ or 30+.
 
Best of luck to you, lillian. You sound like you've had some challenges that you are handling really well with an occasional bump. Hope all goes well this year and you realize your goals!
 
Lillian, I see it is four days since your original post and that today was your expected results day from your SAT. I would think a great deal of your plan to proceed will depend on your scores.

Good or not quite so good, plan to retake the test(s) (try ACT too) after some practice and study in the fall. And try to take the tough classes next fall.

And please do talk to your ALO who can make more/better suggestions.
 
Lillian. This isn't a pep talk. (I'm not really good at those). But you and your story are exactly the type of individual the academy and the military want. You've had adversity. You've had many challenges in your life. Many experience. You are determined to do great things with yourself. You've proved that with your past grades and accomplishments. So when you fill out the academy application and interview with your ALO and congressman/senators, be proud of what you've overcome.

Now, make your mind up; enjoy the summer; settle in; be determined; and KICK SOME A$s. Whether it's at the academy, ROTC, or a traditional university, you're going to do just fine. So, now, it's your turn. It has to be ALL FOR YOU. Don't do it for anybody else. I get a good feeling that great things are coming your way. Just plant your feet, look forward, and enjoy the ride. You've got a great life in front of you. Best of luck. Mike....

Thanks for the pep talk! You did a great job. :smile: I think you're right. And I am definitely doing this for me. I am extremely self-motivated, and I could never make such a major decision based on what someone else wanted for me. Other than that, your words echo those of almost everyone else that knows me. I do believe I will succeed, no matter what happens, or where I go. Thank you for believing in me.
 
CC, nicely done for someone who's not good at them. :wink:


Lillian, for what it's worth I totally agree with CC. You sound like an exceptional young woman who will not let adversity get her down. Big things are in your future... just don't forget to find a little time for fun and being a kid too. :) Good luck!

Thanks. It means a lot. :smile: And I've really been trying to find some time to have fun. :) Especially since it's the summer right now!
 
if you haven't had your ALO interview yet I would definitely recommend talking to them about that... I know you don't want to blame other people or whatever but it really is a factor.

Okay. I will do that. Thank you for the advise. :smile:
 
Nobody except admissions knows exactly how things are weighted or how they evaluate high school transcripts, so I can't say how much good(great) SAT scores will help.

2000 is good, 2200 is better, but the most important piece is making sure you have consistently high scores, especially in math. It's harder if you have a 2000 with a 700 in reading and a 5-something in math.

So just focus in on the things you can control at this point, like CC said. Get amazing grades and 700+ or 30+.

On the PSAT my scores were pretty balanced...except the reading score was higher, at a 78. So hopefully my SAT scores reflect that. And I will retake the SAT on the first testing date this fall, regardless of how well I did this time.
 
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