Is there any way I can get my GPA up in just my senior year?

Question

Is there any way I can get my GPA up in just my senior year? I am ashamed to say my GPA is 1.5.

Let's go back: I've always been an acceptable, organized, and hardworking student. Then I enrolled in an online school, freshman to junior year.

Never leaving the house for days on end, causing a deep depression I had to fight for 3-years. Caused me to put aside all my school work. Procrastinating was my worst bad habit at the time. (I know this shouldn't be an excuse. But I was always a "hands-on", outgoing kid. Learning on a screen every day- all day for 3-years taught me nothing. Plus, I think phones and screens in general ruined our generation. Everyone is depressed and addicted to screens.) Truancy charges were pressed, mandatory therapy, and horrible grades. Then quarantine happened. Which only made my mental health even worse. It also didn't help that my grades went from starlight A's to D's and F's. So I felt embarrassed. Went from being the "smart kid" and being knocked on my . The bad part is, my love for school was completely gone. Finally, during my senior year. I enrolled in a public school. My grades are now straight A's, and my teachers are very pleased with my hard work. My love for school is back, and I am on a complete roll right now. But that still isn't going to make it all better. I want to be able to prove to some college I enroll in, that I still am capable. But my GPA is saying otherwise. Considering I want to be a Veterinarian/ Vet Tech, it's going to be a huge fight for me. They only accept the best of the best, and I am fighting so hard to get the job of my dreams. I am tired of pitying myself, so finally i'm fighting my depression and honestly winning (For the most part!). All I want to do is show my teachers that I CAN. But what can I do to show a college that I can? Because numbers and transcripts don't lie.

My original plan is to enroll in a community college for a vet tech. Hopefully, someone will notice me ( a teacher) and realize I am. But that's just a WHAT IF. What can I do NOW that can impact my future??

Answer 1

Firstly, I am sorry to hear that you have gone through those hardships and challenges during your high school career. I am happy to hear, however, that you have taken that and turned it into a positive experience and have grown in your senior year.

I would say that, in my professional opinion, a community college might be a good fit for you because it will allow you the opportunity to continue to get your grades up in hopes of attending a four year college, get your "feet wet" so to speak and ease into the college experience, offer smaller classes with more personalized targeted attention, explore certain college majors, and can be more affordable. Some colleges also offer articulation agreements where if you maintain a certain GPA in a specific major you will are guaranteed to get into a specific four year college.

These days, most colleges/universities firmly believe in a more holistic application - where they do not look at just grades when accepting a student. They look at the entire picture such as grades, test scores, college essay, letters of recommendation, and activities. I would strongly encourage and recommend that you build a stronger college essay, ask for letters of recommendation from credible sources who know you well (ie. a teacher, employer, community service supervisor, religious leader, etc.) and participate in extracurricular activities, job experiences, and volunteer opportunities.

Also college applications oftentimes have a spot when completing the application where you can explain your grades and state if anything specific happened during your high school career that negatively impacted your grades. I feel it is important to note that you shouldn't make it a "therapy session" but this is where you can certainly state the grades you are referring to, briefly explain what happened in that time, and focus mostly on how much you've grown and what you can positive contribute to their campus as a result.

Also I am unsure how your public university system works but at least within New York City, public high school students are guaranteed to get into 1 community college. It might not be the one of their choosing, but one public community college has to accept them. I am hoping this is the case where you reside as well! Something to look into.

Best of luck to you in your college search. You got this!