Hey everyone, I've been a bit anxious about my GPA. I started off with some rough patches early in high school but have been on an upward trend lately. How much do admissions officers take into account improvement in grades throughout high school, especially for challenging colleges?
Hello! It's awesome that you're reflecting on your academic journey, and rest assured, admissions officers definitely consider the trajectory of your grades. They understand that students can have a challenging start to high school and really appreciate seeing a student's growth and resilience over the years. An upward trend can demonstrate that you've developed better study habits, time management skills, and a stronger understanding of the material.
If there were other things going on in your life that led to those rough patches early on, think about describing them for schools in the "Additional Information" section of the Common App, so admissions officers can fully understand the context of your grades. You can read about how to explain extenuating personal circumstances on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-explain-exceptional-personal-circumstances-on-applications
Keep focusing on your current coursework and maintain that positive trend – it speaks volumes about your potential as a student!
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