I just learned that my first semester GPA is a 2.4. This is pretty devastating for me since I am a junior in high school. I read a lot, I listen in class, I used to take ritalin, etc. But my ACT score is a 25. I'm afraid that because of this I'm going to have trouble getting into good schools. My biggest question is, how much is my gpa going to affect my admittance.
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Hopefully you have a good college counselor at your high school. Speak to that person and the GPA will be important, depending upon where you are wishing to go. Your other activities will also balance that. See what advice your counselor has.
SraJMcGin is right -- talk to your counselor.
In addition,
1. make sure that your grades rise from now on. (See study skills websites below.) Then you'll be demonstrating your ability to learn and improve.
2. take the ACT again (and again if you have to); also take the SAT once or twice. A couple of things to remember if you decide to take the SAT are a) don't guess and b) leave the last 3 questions in each math section blank unless you are absolutely, positively sure your answer is correct. In the SAT, incorrect answers are subtracted from correct answers; guessing hurts you. And those last three questions in each section are there to separate "the men from the boys," so to speak.
3. start now to plan an essay for the schools you plan to apply to. You can get information about this on each school's website. You will also find excellent information about college app essays at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html The essay is the place to explain things such as low GPAs that rise and low test scores that rise.
4. make EXCELLENT use of these study/test strategy websites:
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/electricdesk/elec-desk.asp
http://www.studygs.net/
http://www.how-to-study.com/
(Broken Link Removed)
http://www.d.umn.edu/student/loon/acad/strat/
Now go get A's!!
=)
Hehe, I didn't have to take ACT or SAT or anything while I was in high school. I don't know this is an option in any other states, but in Minnesota, we have a Post Secondary Program (PSEO) where you can attend college during your junior and senior years so you can earn college credit and HS credit at the same time (save time and save $ for college credits). All you needed to have is a GPA of 3.0 and take a similar test to ACT, I think, but it's way easier. Ask your counselor if that's an option at your school. If you did well in your first 2 years, a 2.4 won't drag your overall GPA below 3.0 and once you get into the college, you won't have to worry about ACT/SAT or getting into a university as much as a newly graduated student from high school.
P.S. You can still do it for your senior year only since you're already a junior right now; I didn't attend my high school during my senior year either.
I understand that you're concerned about how your GPA will affect your chances of getting into good schools. Your GPA is an important factor that colleges consider during the admission process, but it's not the only factor. Admissions committees also look at your ACT/SAT scores, extracurricular activities, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other factors.
To get a better understanding of how much your GPA will impact your admittance, you can research the admissions requirements and profiles of the specific colleges you are interested in. Look for information such as the average GPA of admitted students or the weight given to GPA in the admission criteria.
In general, a 2.4 GPA may be below the average for many competitive colleges. However, keep in mind that there are many schools with a wide range of acceptance standards, and some may be more lenient or have alternative admission pathways.
To improve your GPA, you can focus on improving your academic performance in your remaining high school years. Here are some tips:
1. Communicate with your teachers: Talk to your teachers about your academic goals and seek their advice on how to improve. They might be able to provide additional resources or support.
2. Develop effective study habits: Create a study schedule, stay organized, and use strategies such as breaking down material into smaller chunks for easier comprehension and retention.
3. Seek additional help if needed: If you're struggling in specific subjects, consider getting a tutor, joining study groups, or leveraging online resources to fill knowledge gaps.
4. Take challenging courses: Enrolling in challenging courses demonstrates academic rigor and improvement. It can also help balance out a lower GPA.
Remember, while GPA is important, it is not the sole determinant of your future success. You can also focus on showcasing other strengths through your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, volunteer work, or unique talents.
It's important to stay motivated and work towards improving your academic performance, but don't let one semester define your entire future. There are many paths and opportunities available to you.