HELP, I don't want to lose hope just yet?

Question

I just completed freshman year, and I'm going to be a sophomore this year (2009). I took all the hardest classes possible (All Honors). I passed most of the classes with As and Bs. Unfortunately, I recieved a C in World History Honors. I'm really scared that a C will completely ruin my chances of being accepted into an IV League University, or an amazing college. I signed up for alot of clubs, but I did not follow through with all of them. I regret not trying so hard my freshman year. I decided to really work hard and concentrate. Is it too late to improve and still be accepted into a really good college? Sophomore year (This year), I'm taking all the AP classes offered and the rest honors. I'm going to try my best to get the highest grade ever. I just hope its not too late. I won't slack this year, I really decided for myself that I really want to make it to a fantastic college.

Answer 1

First thing. Relax. You are in sophomore year and taking 'all the AP classes offered'? what are you going to do for your junior and senior years? Seriously, if you overload yourself too much, you may not have the highest grades and this will reflect more when applying to colleges than instead of PACING yourself and take a few AP classes a year.

So, if I were you, divide your AP classes in those 3 years, focus on those clubs that are the most meaningful (Round Square) and the ones you enjoy (because you want to have fun in your life).

Believe me, if you do not do this, you will burn out too early in your life. I know I did that to myself. Sometimes, going to regular colleges/universities are just as fine. I remember talking to my high school teacher who went to Harvard and Stanford and she said they were just any old schools with  name. In fact, the university I go to has a 'name-brand' attached to it and I would tell you, that I would now (reflrecting 3 years of being in that university) rather go to a smaller school with closer contact with professors and better education than go to a brand name school.

If anything, you should go to a prestigious graduate school and just get the best grades as you can in undergraduate. (they look closely at your grades when applying to grad studies, so sometimes it's better to go to an easier university which allows you to do extracurriculars and get great grades than going to a prestigious university).

ADDED: I used to get 95-99% averages in my classes. However, I started to become overambitious and I took approximately 11 courses in grade 11 (and got involved with 3-4 clubs). This really affected my average. I went down to mid 80s and started to get really depressed which harmed my grades even more (including social life...because i was depressed). Learn from my mistakes. Don't do what I did.

EDIT 2:. By 12th grade, I decided to focus only on those ap courses which related to what I wanted to major in and I was doing MUCH better in class and my grdes rose. and I was much happier as well and prepared to go to university - plus I was able to get more involved :).  and I got to the name-brand univ that I wanted to get into.

Answer 2

You can always re--take the class you got a C in.  The college will only record your highest grade.

Answer 3

Junior years is going to be so much harder with ACTs to worry about and getting college stuff ready, just have fun whiel you can before you're forced to grow up