Many students don’t realize that you only have three years to build your GPA for college.
Because you apply to college early in your Senior year, you don’t have Senior grades yet, so you apply with your end-of-Junior-year GPA. This gives you three years to work hard for the GPA you want, to get into the colleges you hope to go to. But if things go wrong, as they sometimes will, there are some fixes for a troubled GPA.
Do well freshman and sophomore years
This is the number one way to end up with a great high school GPA. By starting strong, you actually set your GPA nice and high, while classes are the easiest. Then during Junior year, when classes are the hardest, your GPA can handle a B or two (or even maybe 3).
Pull up Middle School A’s
If you got A’s in any high school level course that you took during middle school, then talk to your school counselor about possibly pulling these up onto your high school transcript. ONLY do this if you got A’s. B’s pull your GPA down. You should not do this if you have a really high class rank because, while not all high schools do class rank, colleges love it when they can actually claim to have students who were in the top 10%, so if you are in or near the top 10%, then don’t do anything that would drop your class rank. Adding unweighted A’s, at some high schools, can drop your rank!
Go to Summer School
If you did poorly in a class, then definitely consider retaking it in summer school! Be sure to talk with your counselor first, to make sure the summer school course is approved. The ones offered by your school are usually the easiest and best way to go. Sign up early because they fill up. Summer school is miserable, so try to do well in the class the first time around–during the school year–when it’s free and not summer!
Retake classes during the school year
Most high schools will allow you to retake a class during the next school year, even just one semester of it. Before signing up, talk to your counselor to be sure that this new grade will replace your bad grade.
Know if your school weights AP/IB classes in your GPA
If your school does weight advanced classes when calculating your GPA (that is to say they give them more weight) then if you take lots of art and band and unweighted classes, those can bring down your GPA. This same concept applies to class rank.
Work independently with a teacher to repair a grade
Sometimes a teacher will be willing to work with you to allow you to do some independent study work to repair a grade, if you had some tough circumstances in your life and the teacher knows about it. This varies from teacher to teacher and school to school, but it’s always worth asking about. DO NOT ask the teacher if they can help you fix your grade. (Teachers hate talking about points and grades.) DO ask the teacher if you might be able to retake/redo some of the work so that you can master the material for next year because you know you need to understand it.
Retake a class somewhere locally
Your city may have a local business that offers classes which your school MAY (or may not) accept as replacements for classes on your transcript. These places are like special one-to-one schools where you are forced to master the material because you are the only student. These places are often a little spendy and you MUST make sure your counselor will accept the class before you take it, because your school may not!
Study more
The best way to repair your GPA is to spend 20, 30 or 60 minutes more on your homework each night. You will be amazed at the difference this makes! Even reviewing material is very powerful.
Get a tutor, right away
This can be a peer tutor, extra help after school from your teacher, or a tutor who comes to your house. Libraries also have tutoring services that are often free! As soon as you feel that you have a problem, get extra help! Don’t delay at all. Stay on top of your comprehension in a class because the class just keeps moving and it doesn’t just “get better” without you finding a solution.
Go after school for extra help
Your teachers are happy to help you after school. Go regularly and take your questions. Be prepared. Don’t just sit there and expect the teacher to think for you and tell you what to do. Go and do your homework in their classroom and then when you get stuck ask a question. This is VERY helpful because they see you trying, and they are the best person to help you get past confusing parts. You won’t always *love* every teacher; this is normal human nature. But it is your responsibility to hide your lack of love and be respectful. That is polite. Go get the help!
Apply to places that drop freshman year grades from your GPA
If Freshman year grades are dragging you down, some colleges, like San Diego State, Cal Poly, and Chapman, actually drop your freshman year grades from the GPA they calculate for your admission file.
There are lots of ways that you can fix a GPA. Remember the very best way–do your best the first time around and get help as soon as you are confused. You can do this! :),
Because you apply to college early in your Senior year, you don’t have Senior grades yet, so you apply with your end-of-Junior-year GPA. This gives you three years to work hard for the GPA you want, to get into the colleges you hope to go to. But if things go wrong, as they sometimes will, there are some fixes for a troubled GPA.
Do well freshman and sophomore years
This is the number one way to end up with a great high school GPA. By starting strong, you actually set your GPA nice and high, while classes are the easiest. Then during Junior year, when classes are the hardest, your GPA can handle a B or two (or even maybe 3).
Pull up Middle School A’s
If you got A’s in any high school level course that you took during middle school, then talk to your school counselor about possibly pulling these up onto your high school transcript. ONLY do this if you got A’s. B’s pull your GPA down. You should not do this if you have a really high class rank because, while not all high schools do class rank, colleges love it when they can actually claim to have students who were in the top 10%, so if you are in or near the top 10%, then don’t do anything that would drop your class rank. Adding unweighted A’s, at some high schools, can drop your rank!
Go to Summer School
If you did poorly in a class, then definitely consider retaking it in summer school! Be sure to talk with your counselor first, to make sure the summer school course is approved. The ones offered by your school are usually the easiest and best way to go. Sign up early because they fill up. Summer school is miserable, so try to do well in the class the first time around–during the school year–when it’s free and not summer!
Retake classes during the school year
Most high schools will allow you to retake a class during the next school year, even just one semester of it. Before signing up, talk to your counselor to be sure that this new grade will replace your bad grade.
Know if your school weights AP/IB classes in your GPA
If your school does weight advanced classes when calculating your GPA (that is to say they give them more weight) then if you take lots of art and band and unweighted classes, those can bring down your GPA. This same concept applies to class rank.
Work independently with a teacher to repair a grade
Sometimes a teacher will be willing to work with you to allow you to do some independent study work to repair a grade, if you had some tough circumstances in your life and the teacher knows about it. This varies from teacher to teacher and school to school, but it’s always worth asking about. DO NOT ask the teacher if they can help you fix your grade. (Teachers hate talking about points and grades.) DO ask the teacher if you might be able to retake/redo some of the work so that you can master the material for next year because you know you need to understand it.
Retake a class somewhere locally
Your city may have a local business that offers classes which your school MAY (or may not) accept as replacements for classes on your transcript. These places are like special one-to-one schools where you are forced to master the material because you are the only student. These places are often a little spendy and you MUST make sure your counselor will accept the class before you take it, because your school may not!
Study more
The best way to repair your GPA is to spend 20, 30 or 60 minutes more on your homework each night. You will be amazed at the difference this makes! Even reviewing material is very powerful.
Get a tutor, right away
This can be a peer tutor, extra help after school from your teacher, or a tutor who comes to your house. Libraries also have tutoring services that are often free! As soon as you feel that you have a problem, get extra help! Don’t delay at all. Stay on top of your comprehension in a class because the class just keeps moving and it doesn’t just “get better” without you finding a solution.
Go after school for extra help
Your teachers are happy to help you after school. Go regularly and take your questions. Be prepared. Don’t just sit there and expect the teacher to think for you and tell you what to do. Go and do your homework in their classroom and then when you get stuck ask a question. This is VERY helpful because they see you trying, and they are the best person to help you get past confusing parts. You won’t always *love* every teacher; this is normal human nature. But it is your responsibility to hide your lack of love and be respectful. That is polite. Go get the help!
Apply to places that drop freshman year grades from your GPA
If Freshman year grades are dragging you down, some colleges, like San Diego State, Cal Poly, and Chapman, actually drop your freshman year grades from the GPA they calculate for your admission file.
There are lots of ways that you can fix a GPA. Remember the very best way–do your best the first time around and get help as soon as you are confused. You can do this! :),
94 Responses
when they saw that middle class grades counts does it counts from 6th grade or is it from 8th. if you had a b in 6th grades does that counts in the middle school area too
Hi Ali!
Colleges will evaluate you based only on your high school transcript. If your high school lists any high school level courses on your transcript *that you took during middle school* then that could be an issue because B’s don’t help your GPA and you don’t want unnecessary B’s on your transcript if you can help it! 🙂 If you have more questions, please post them in our Forum. Yay, college!
Susanna
Question I am a senior that has a bad freshman and sophomore year but took all regular classes and took regular classes junior year and passed all but one and I am taking regular classes my senior year and just passed my semester all classes by I have a weight gpa of 1.45 can I raise it if so how ? And can u get into a university? If so which ?
Hi Angel!
GREAT job on improving your grades. First, you will want to talk with your school counselor tomorrow to make sure that you are ok to graduate. On my website, CollegeMapper, under Resources–Videos, I have a video on how to improve your GPA. Watch that. You’ll need to redo some classes most likely, so you will want to create a plan with your school counselor. Tell your counselor that you want to go to college (which you do–it’s a game-changer!) and ask him/her to help you create a plan. You may need to go to community college first, but you will also have a counselor there who can right away help you create a two year plan to transfer to a four year university.
Let me know if you have other questions, and meet with your school counselor right away for sure.
Yay, college!
Susanna
what do you need to get a good gpa. IS it ok to have an A- or A instead of A+. what if you get an B+ or B- I languages classes and you A+ and A’s in Math would the English classes grade affect gpa.
These grades all sound fine to me! Do your best and follow your heart, and you’ll end up where you’re meant to be. Please post any future questions in the Forum and I’m happy to answer them Yay, college! Susanna
I am trying to retake more than one class I am a senior
Hi Samantha! Good for you for working on your GPA. Can you post your exact question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to advise you. 🙂
Yay, college!
Susanna
If you retake a course over the summer while in high school, will colleges be able to see your original grade or see that you re-took the course?
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
My grades are at cs and bs and taking ap classes
Hi! Could you post your question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
I just have a 68 percent in language.
Hi! Could you post your question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
My GPA is low and im a junior in high school and i try and try but I dont think i Will make it.
Hi! Could you post your question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
So, if I get a bad grade in one of my classes that lowers my GPA, then retake the class over the summer in summer school, that will increase my GPA? Also, I’m considering dropping this class, and if I do, it will be as if I never took it…like it won’t show up on my transcript. Would it be wise to drop it instead of it potentially lowering my GPA in the future? Thanks! I’m a freshman BTW, and have a C in my Java elective.
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
During my first semester in sophomore year I got an F on chemisrty so I went to summer school and a C in spanish. The rest of my transcript is all A’s and 2 B’s (I am a junior) What can I do to make the transcript look better.
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
Do you think that it’s possible drastically change your class ranking in 2 years? Freshman ans Sophmore year i slacked off and i’m now a junior making most a’s and b’s. Do you think that i could change my class ranking drastically with all A/B’s for junior and senior year while Fresman and Sophmore i was mostly B/C?
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
I’m a junior in high school, and my GPA’s already dropped .2 points this year due to a single C+. My AP classes are fine (A in APUSH and B in AP Bio), but do you think I’ll be able to pull my GPA up by the end of my senior year? I’m aiming for Premed school at GVSU, and I’m really freaking out now. Thanks in advance!
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
Thanks for the tips! I was just wondering, can I post a question on here?
Hi Brian! You can post questions in the CollegeMapper Forum and I answer them there, so they are searchable. 🙂 Best, Susanna
If I have a 1.5 GPA and I’m a sophomore how can I get it up
Hi! Could you post this great question in the CollegeMapper Forum? I’m happy to answer them there, so other kids can search for answers. Best, Susanna
I’m a senior, can I retake some classes that I did horribly in to improve my grade in those classes? Or is it too late?
Hi there! I’m happy to answer this question! Would you do me a favor and post it in the CM Forum so that other kids can search for your answer? GREAT question! 🙂 Susanna
I screwed around my freshman year and just did enough to get by my sophmore year it is now junior year and i currently have a 1.5 gpa can i fix this by senior year with making up classes
Hi there! Would you post your question in the CM Forum for me so that kids can search it? Happy to help! Susanna
I have two C’s, three A’s, and a D(Which I’m working on) but my GPA hasn’t changed at all, and these are probably the best grades I’ve had in some of these classes. Is there anything else I can do? I don’t remember what grade I got on the high school class I took in eighth grade, but how much will I be able to raise it if I bring the C’s to B’s and the D back up to a B?
Hi there! Would you post your question in the CM Forum for me so that kids can search it? Happy to help!! Susanna
Throughout my freshman and sophomore year I have 4 c’s, 3 in math and 1 in english. I have several b’s, in english geometry science foreign language arts social studies and gym. And i have 9 A’s in english social studies arts and phys ed. I retook my gym class since I got a 55 in freshman. I have one honors class in sophomore year and no honors in junior year. Does my 55, 70, 75, 75,75 affect my gpa badly? And does not having honors class for Junior really bad? I’m going to junior year next week can I improve my math class as well get more A’s? Will I be able to get over 3.0 gpa?
Hi Tiffany! The best thing for you to do is to make an appointment with your counselor at school and go over everything to set grade goals for this year and see if you can redo any classes, in order to strengthen your GPA. You can also ask your counselor to help you see what your GPA for college applications will be if you get all As or half As this year, etc. Please let me know how that meeting goes!
Best,
Susanna
I have a 1.8 gpa and I am a senior, how can I get it up
Hi Jasmine, can you make an appointment to talk with the guidance counselor at your school? Please let me know. Retaking some classes next semester would raise your GPA. My thinking is that you will want to get enrolled in a support program at your local community college this summer and work closely with an advisor and tutors there to get started on your college path. This is 100% possible and you will just need to work hard and never give up. Please let me know how your meeting goes. You can do this! Xoxo, Susanna
Did you ever have an answer for ‘If you retake a class and earn a higher grade, will colleges still see the original?’ I also have this question.
Hi Anni! You need to ask your counselor because each school district handles this differently, so they might remove, add, or replace the grade, depending on their policy. Just go in and ask them in the counseling office and they will know right away! Yay, college! Susanna
How do I start applying for college? 🙂
Hi Chloe! This depends on what grade you are in?
Cheers, Susanna
Can I retake classes even if I didn’t fail them because I got a B once and it drives me insane.
Dear Emma, Hello! Perhaps you can retake classes for a B, but having a B shows character, that you are strong and human, and not a perfectionist, (as perfection doesn’t exist anyway). You would need to ask your counselor about retaking the class, but please do not worry if you cannot. It really is ok! Best, Susanna
i failed my geomentry class should i go to summer school or take it next year by switching out one of my elective classes.
Hello! I would talk with your school counselor and see what he/she suggests because in truth, both of these options are good. I tend to suggest summer school because the school year schedules are so packed, but there is a charge for that, so talk with your counselor. Yay, college! Susanna
I’m going to be a junior in August and my cumulative gpa is a 3.13. My freshman year I averaged A’s and B’s, but I ended my sophomore year with 1 A, 2 B’s, 1 C, 1 D, and an F. I’m retaking second semester Algebra II, but how do I raise my gpa, and is it possible for it to be at least a 3.5?
Hi Mariah! It’s great to hear from you. Yes, it is very possible to repair a GPA. Follow the tips I listed in that blog post and do all of them as soon as you can. Do not delay. Talk to your school counselor about redoing the D and the F classes during summer, online, and even during the school year. You have twelve months now until you start applying to colleges, so you have twelve or so months to fix your GPA. You can do this! And I really think it is worth it!! Let me know if you have any other questions. Yay, college! Susanna
I am going to start my Junior year in August and right now my GPA is 2.8, can I improve my GPA and hit 3.4 ? Please help me out
Hello! Follow the tips in this video and also make an appointment to meet with your school counselor. Your counselor can tell you what ways you can still use to improve your GPA and don’t worry because as long as you go to college, your GPA starts over there–even at community college. Take your college GPA VERY seriously because it follows you and is the most important factor that determines where you could transfer into or go to grad school after you go to college/undergrad. Hope this helps! Susanna
I’m a junior going to be a senior when school starts back in August and my gpa is low but I have been in summer school the past years and just recently was in summer school last month and idk if I’m going to make it
Hello! Follow the tips in this video and also make an appointment to meet with your school counselor. Your counselor can tell you what ways you can still use to improve your GPA and don’t worry because as long as you go to college, your GPA starts over there–even at community college. Take your college GPA VERY seriously because it follows you and is the most important factor that determines where you could transfer into or go to grad school after you go to college/undergrad. Hope this helps! Susanna
is it possible to raise a 3.556 hope gpa to a 3.7 within 2 semesters?
Hello, with straight As and repairing past low grades, possible! Cheers, Susanna
what summer classes can you attend in person
Any college or community college classes and lots of summer camps. 🙂 Susanna
I had a bad car wreck and am disabled, i had my last daughter late in life at 45! I was totally out of it for 1 1/2 years when she started high school. she had no one but me and i wasn’t their for her i was so drugged up and had like 3 surgeries! Her freshman year grades were so bad so so bad like 1.67 gpa, I feel so guilty I didn’t know! She goes to a private school and I am shocked they did not talk to me or have her retake the classes! She wants to go to 4 year college her advisor at school told her no way she will get into any 4 year college. I’m broken watching her cry and feel left behind. She is so embarrassed. I didn’t go to college I’m 62 and so broken for her.
Her grades this year are all A’s i don’t know how much that will pull her grade up. I don’t know if the electives are pullin her grades down. I don’t know what to do…………… do i take a chance and apply her for college in Jan after these grades post or go ahead and apply she wants to attend ECU she has relatives their.
I have a friend that runs a private school just 40 kids someone told me to take her their it is accreated, and let her retake some classes but i don’t want to overwhelm her. can you help this old lady that don’t understand any of this!
Hi Kathy, I’m very sorry to hear about all of this and I am quite surprised that the high school did not tell your daughter she needed to go to summer school, as she needs to have a certain amount of credits to graduate from high school. I suggest the two of you go immediately to meet (POLITELY) with the (very overwhelmed) school counselor. Be very cheerful and grateful and just try to get help. That counselor needs to review her transcript and make sure she has everything she needs to graduate. Then, after that meeting, make an appointment with an admissions counselor at ECU and take her transcript there. Go together, both of you, to both of these meetings and be very kind. Ask the ECU counselor what she recommends about applying. Keep me posted and good luck! This can all work out. Where there is a will there is a way. My brother went to college at age 38! Best, Susanna
i’m a sophomore and my gpa is 1.8 i know that is very bad but i have all 90s and one 78 plz help
Hi McKinzy! Make an appointment to meet with your counselor at school *right away*, this week, and ask:
1. which classes you can redo in the summer
2. which you can redo online
AND
3. which you can ALSO redo during the school year in your free/elective spots.
By retaking several classes during freshman or sophomore year (when the GPA is the most powerful) in which you got Cs or Ds or Fs, you will dramatically raise your GPA.
Before you register to do this anywhere, your school counselor MUST approve the course. So you will need to develop a good working relationship with your school counselor. Be very sweet and kind, because you are asking for extra help. When your counselor sees that you really want to go to college, he/she will do all they can to help you. You can do this! DO NOT give up, kiddo! College is one of the best life decisions you will ever make.
Keep me posted!
Susanna
Hi! I recently have an idea of my report card, coming out as a B in APUSH, A in Acting, C in AP Psych, A in Forensics, C in AP Lang, and most likely a D in Algebra 2. Would I be able to retake Algebra 2 next semester along with the same period? To be more specific, have Algebra 2 for one period, and another period? What would it look like on my transcript? Would it replace my grade from this semester to next semester as a better grade? I am a junior by the way, with a 3.6 GPA.
Hi Rea! Talk with your school counselor immediately to come up with a plan for fixing Algebra 2, which will likely have to be done in summer. Also ask about dropping AP Psych because your load looks too heavy for you and that will enable you to focus more on AP Lit. Colleges want to see As more than they want to see AP classes, so I would get rid of AP Psych and focus on AP Lit, since you need 4 years of English in high school. Remember that As are more important than AP classes. If you can take APs and get As, great. But if AP classes give you Bs and Cs, DON’T take them. Colleges look at GPA first–no matter what anyone tells you–so protect your GPA. A 3.6 is pretty good, so let’s try to protect it. Yes, you will definitely need to redo Algebra in summer school this year. You can’t retake semester 1 of Algebra during semester 2 because the teachers are only teaching semester 2 at that time, so you will need to take it during summer school–AFTER your school counselor approves that. And when you talk with your counselor, perhaps investigate dropping down to regular English, again to protect your GPA. Let me know how it all goes! Best, Susanna
So your telling me it is possible to retake classes in high school? I’ve tried so many times to retake a class I wanted but my counselor told me it wasn’t an option. Though now I’ve transferred to a new school (I went to private now I go to public), so does that mean I possibly have to opportunity to retake it? Freshman year I had now idea what a GPA was and how much it mattered, in addition to an awful Geometry teacher resulting in me getting a B in the class. Ever since then I have gotten straight As, including multiple AP classes. Do you think my school my will let me retake the course? Thank you in advance!
Hi Angie, It’s nice to hear from you. Many private schools do not allow retaking classes, but most public schools do. In general, it’s best to always avoid labeling any teacher as awful or bad, because that will only reflect negatively on you in an application or interview. Say “interesting” or “different” but for your own professional image and training, avoid labels, and certainly avoid those that are pejorative. The only way to approach retaking a course is to inquire with your high school counselor if it is possible. Also, be sure in a letter, note or post to say something positive at the opening, like a greeting or thanks. That will take you far in life. I wouldn’t start with “So…” which could make you sound upset, when you want to sound measured. All the best, Susanna
is it ok to have 1.7 gpa
Hi Logan!
The most important thing to watch about GPA is, are you meeting your graduation requirements for high school? With a GPA below a 2.5 I would worry that you may not be on track to graduate.
Also, is it possible that you might be in a school that is too tough for you, or maybe your schedule is too heavy? Or perhaps you have factors going on at home that are making it tough for you to focus on getting your homework done each night? Or perhaps you are not taking your education seriously yet–which you need to change immediately. Education is a HUGE luxury. Over 250 MILLION kids in war-torn countries and other struggling economic areas around the world cannot attend school, and school is the most direct way to get out of poverty and become independent. Those kids would give anything to not be digging through garbage dumps to eat, or to not be sold into slavery, or to not be working 18 hour days to feed younger siblings.If you yourself are in any sort of tough spot like this, I want you to go today and tell a trusted, kind teacher, and I will pray that that person helps you to get the help you need, whatever it is.
I urge you to examine the reasons your GPA is low, and meet with your school counselor to ask for help in two areas: repairing and replacing any classes you possibly can, to raise your GPA; and putting some habit/systems in place to help you get better grades from here on. Your school counselor can help you do both of these things if you ask her nicely for help and are very grateful.
Let me know if you need any help! Education is the VERY best decision you can make, kiddo. Fight for it and prize it. It will be one of your greatest blessings in life, and there is a school/program for every possible learning style, so don’t worry if standard school isn’t your jam. 🙂
Susanna
I’m a sophomore and right now my gpa is quite low (3.0) and i’m hoping to raise it in time for college my senior year. I’m taking Honors and Dual Enrollment classes and by the end of junior year I will only need 1.5 credits for an advanced diploma. I’m making mostly A’s but I have a B+ in geometry and my Biology Honors grade keeps slipping into a C. (which makes me pretty nervous). I’m taking Econ this summer so i have extra room in my schedule during the school year. Do you have any tips or advice?
Hi Alyssa! It sounds like you are doing a great job, so hang in there and keep up the good work. The first thing I would do is make an appointment with your counselor to ask if you can redo/replace any low grades, either in summer school, during the school year, or online. She will know and can help you arrange that. Beware of taking a too heavy load and then getting Bs. To raise your GPA you need As, so take regular level classes–by all means!–instead of Honors classes if the Honors/Dual classes are resulting in Bs. Even ask your counselor about dropping down into regular at the semester. Preserving the GPA is more important than taking a load that is too challenging. Get the As, avoid the Bs-Cs, at all costs–in terms of your course selection. Kids sometimes think it looks best to load up a super heavy schedule, but colleges look first at the GPA, so only take on what you can handle.
Also, it sounds like your grades have really changed from what they were, so be sure to note in the applications that you are on an upward grade trend. Also, in that additional info section, tell the colleges exactly what happened to cause you to get so many Bs (or Cs, etc). You don’t need to be afraid; those of us who work in education want to help you kids succeed, and we have heard it all, so if you tell them the truth, with no blaming or whining, and you focus on what you have learned and how you have grown from the experience, then they will understand your previous GPA. It sounds like your current GPA is doing very well! 🙂
Hats off to you, kiddo! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Susanna
I’m a sophomore and my gpa is 2.61 how do u fix it seeing as I’m a freshmen and i can’t switch out anything because I need every class I have right now
Hi Zy! It’s great to hear from you. Are you a freshman or a sophomore? Yes, it is very possible to repair a GPA. Follow the tips I listed in this blog post above, and do all of them ASAP. Do not delay. Talk to your school counselor about redoing any D and the F classes during summer, online, and even during the school year. You have until Fall of Senior year until you start applying to colleges, so you can fix your GPA. You can do this! And I really think it is worth it!! Let me know if you have any other questions. Talking to your school counselor ASAP is the most important task, to get guidance about what is possible in your district. 🙂 Yay, college! Susanna
Okay im 15 and in my second semester of my sophomore year. I honestly did very bad my freshman and first semester for sophomore too and i have a gpa of 1.36, yes i know that is bad like very bad. But im trying to do better so im scoring of getting like 3.0 or high for each semester coming back, do you think that would improve my gpa or how much it would pick it up. Im also doing ingenuity like where you stay after school and make up your bad credits. Im in high school btw but Thanks! Hope you reply.
Hi Stephanie! It’s great to hear from you. Yes, it is very possible to repair a GPA and you are doing a great job so far at doing so. Also, follow the tips I listed in the blog post here and do all of them as soon as you can. Do not delay. Most importantly, talk to your school counselor about redoing any C, D or F classes during summer, online, and even during the school year. You have a year and a half now until you start applying to colleges, so you can work hard with your counselor to fix your GPA. You can do this! And I really think it is worth it!! Let me know if you have any other questions after you meet with your counselor. Yay, college! Susanna
hi
i am a sophomore (10) and i took 2.6 gpa in semester 1 can improve it and make it above 3.0 in semester 2?
what grades should i achieve in my subjects? and in freshman i achieved an overall of 2.4 gpa which is really low can i improve it in the next two years and achieve above 3.4 gpa for highschool gpa overall?
Hi Abdulrahman!
The most important thing to watch about GPA is, are you meeting your graduation requirements for high school? With a GPA of a 2.5 I would worry that you may not be on track to graduate. Go and talk with your school counselor to figure out what can be done.
Also, is it possible that you might be in a school that is too tough for you, or maybe your schedule is too heavy? Or perhaps you have factors going on at home that are making it tough for you to focus on getting your homework done each night? Or perhaps you are not taking your education seriously yet–which you need to change immediately. Education is a HUGE luxury. Over 250 MILLION kids in war-torn countries and other struggling economic areas around the world cannot attend school, and school is the most direct way to get out of poverty and become independent. Those kids would give anything to not be digging through garbage dumps to eat, or to not be sold into slavery, or to not be working 18 hour days to feed younger siblings.If you yourself are in any sort of tough spot like this, I want you to go today and tell a trusted, kind teacher, and I will pray that that person helps you to get the help you need, whatever it is. Or maybe English is not your first language and you might need some language help? That is absolutely available in the school system.
I urge you to examine the reasons your GPA is low, and meet with your school counselor to ask for help in two areas: repairing and replacing any classes you possibly can, to raise your GPA; and putting some habit/systems in place to help you get better grades from here on. Your school counselor can help you do both of these things if you ask her nicely for help and are very grateful.
Let me know if you need any help! Education is the VERY best decision you can make, kiddo. Fight for it and prize it. It will be one of your greatest blessings in life, and there is a school/program for every possible learning style, so don’t worry if standard school isn’t your jam. 🙂
Susanna
I have a GPA of 3.65. I want it to improve, but I can get cannot get anything higher than a B in math. I get all A´s in other subjects but math has never clicked with me– even in elementary school I couldn’t get it.
Hi Lilly! I would plan to go after school several days a week and do your homework in the math classroom, where you can ask your teacher when you get stuck. Also, get a peer tutor right away and meet 2x a week. If you can afford it, you can also hire a tutor, but local libraries have Homework Heroes who help kids for free! (At colleges there are free-help Math Labs, and I practically lived in ours, haha!). Additionally, you could go to a learning specialist to have cognitive testing done and figure out why math might be tricky for you; this costs a bit, but it can garner you extra time on tests and even the SAT/ACT. Finally, I strongly encourage you to start saying, over and over and over, “I love math. I’m great at math. Math is fun.” Subliminal programming is hugely powerful, and often as soon as we change our opinion or attitude about something, the entire situation changes. 🙂
If you need to repeat a course in summer school, or online, talk to your counselor. That is always an option.
Yay, Lillybug, and yay, college!
Susanna
Am I allowed to retake a class in the summer for which I earned a B? I received 2 Bs in 9th grade and want to bring up my GPA
Hi Elena! This is possible. You just have to ask your school counselor to approve it first. Definitely send him or her an email and tell them how you would like to master the material from these courses. It’s possible that they will approve it. But don’t take a class until they do approve it, or you could waste time and money. Yay, college! Susanna
i am a rising senior with a 3.5 gpa, do you think i could get up to a 3.8 first semester senior year if I take AP/honors classes before college application deadlines?
Hello Nish! Colleges use your cumulative GPA as of the end of junior year when they evaluate your college applications. That said, if you get straight As in Senior Fall, then by all means send your current grades to your colleges at the first quarter grading period mark, and absolutely at the end of first semester. It will be very important that you do well this fall if you want to raise your GPA, and that you do well second semester of Senior year, because I expect that the colleges will ask to see your senior year grades.
Also, if there are good reasons why your GPA is lower than you would like, you can write about that in the Additional Info space on the application. And finally, you can redo any Ds or Fs or even Cs this summer in an online class IF your school counselor approves it first. That will really raise your GPA. Let me know if you have other questions! Yay, college! Susanna
If I got an A and a B in a course I took during 9th-10th summer and it won’t harm me to retake it (the course is precalc), do you recommend moving on to AP stats or retaking the whole course again.
Hi Satvi! I do not think you need to take the course again. But I do have thoughts about Stats:
If you want to major in Business, Engineering, or Comp Sci, then you need to be sure to take actual Calculus, not just PreCalc. AP Calc is best if you want to do Engineering especially. If you want to major in a Humanities area, then Stats can be fine. Another consideration is your cumulative GPA and your target colleges. The most competitive colleges almost always see/have AP Calc on a student’s transcript. If you are applying to other schools that are not quite so exclusive, then again you can do Stats. Hope this helps, Susanna
I am currently a senior about to start online classes. Last year, as I began my Junior year, I started with a 3.39 GPA and managed to get a 4.0 GPA both semesters of my Junior year. During my Junior year, I took all regular classes and was curious to know whether my GPA would go up or not.
Hi Ron! It absolutely should have gone up! Get a copy of your unofficial transcript to see, and while you’re at it, check that for errors because it is the most important doc in your entire college app–and they often have errors on them! 🙂
Yay, college!
Susanna
Hi in school recently I have been struggling because of problems at home, which has really affected my work the past few semesters. I am a sophomore in highschool starting 2nd semester a few points away from a 3.5 GPA. I really want to go to a good university and hopefully become a doctor when I am older. Meaning I need to get my GPA up and I am a little overwhelmed on how. I plan to do a lot better but I really want to know if it is possible to get above a 3.7 maybe 3.8 GPA by the end? I have gotten C’s in math 4 quarters total the rest are A’s and B’s. I am willing to do anything to get it up, including extra summer school classes if those count to your GPA too? I really don’t know if this could be possible. I am really stressed about it and upset that I haven’t done better I just really hope it isn’t too late!
Hi Abi,
I’m sorry things are tough at home right now, and I pray things get better for you all. Meet with your school counselor to create a plan to retake the C classes online or in summer school, and right away email your teachers and kindly explain to them what’s going on at home. Teachers care, and they will help you. Also, protect your mental health by asking your school counselor if there is a therapist you can talk to to get support, if you feel you need it. Seeking counseling is what a strong person does during a tough time.
I’m here for you!
Susanna
I am a sophomore and I have had As for my entire life – I’ve never gotten a B. I had several bad test grades all at once and I feel awful because I may get a B for my math this semester. Will that affected my chances at college at all? All of my friends think I’m overreacting and that this is not a big deal, but my parents don’t know yet and they are going to be very upset because this will ruin what could be a perfect, all-A high school track record.
Dear Caroline,
Please don’t worry yourself about a B, ever, but especially during the most difficult period we have lived through. No one is at their best right now. It is not business as usual right now. You need to do your best, and then be gracious and gentle with yourself. No one can do better than their best–ever–and this year, your best will likely look different. Be kind to yourself and to others. Your mental health is always worth far, far more than your grades.
One B will in no way affect your college admissions. You can tell anyone that I said that.
Hang in there, kiddo. This is a tough time on everyone, including you.
Best,
Susanna
In freshman year, I ended with a 3.0 (UW) because I failed a class (that was weighted and got a D+ UW) and had the rest B’s and A’s, but retook the failed class over last summer and ended with an A. This year, I have 2 B’s (one B is weighted) and 3 A’s. Is there any way to redeem my GPA, because I wasn’t in a good place last year and wasn’t able to get good grades.
Hi Lily, my first thought here is that you should decrease the amount of honors/weighted classes you are taking because it sounds like you need to take it a little easy on yourself. I would far rather have you take a regular class and get an A than an advanced class and get a B. Yes, retaking classes does repair a GPA in most school districts. Hope this helps, Susanna
Hi, I was wondering if I could retake a semester during the summer for my ap and honor classes, and would it show on my transcript my previous grade?
Hi Belen, You will need to ask your counselor if you can retake AP; most districts do not have that option. Retaking Honors is fairly common in summer, but you will need to ask at your school. Good luck! Susanna
Hello Susanna!
I am a sophomore in high school right now. Freshman year I had all As and one A-. I told myself I wanted to keep that same GPA or even higher this year, but I noticed I have been struggling. My GPA right now is 3.46, but I really want to get it up. I know this post is just based on how to maintain a good GPA, or potentially raise it, but do you have anything that could make me more motivated??
Hi Lilian! It’s so nice to hear from you. I think everyone is struggling this year, so you are not alone. Here is what I recommend to my students during this online schooling, which is really tough:
How to be Motivated During Online School! by Susanna de Chenonceau 🙂
1. Get up an hour before school starts each day
2. Take a shower, whether you feel like it or not
3. Eat a hot breakfast, whether you feel like it or not
4. Put on a nice outfit and spiffy yourself up a little–NO sweatpants or pajamas anymore. We’ve had too much of that and it is NOT easy on the brain. It’s not our old normal. LOOK NICE. Remember: look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp!
5. Sit at your desk for school! Do *not* be in bed!
6. TURN YOUR CAMERA ON (if it is at all possible). The teacher will feel better and so will you. You will also inspire the other kids to do the same, and if you are a junior I can guarantee that your college rec letter will be MUCH better for it.
7. Take notes. Ask questions. Participate.
8. Use a planner to write down all assignments for each class.
9. Eat a hot lunch, whether you feel like it or not. Zoom or Facetime a best friend to eat with AT LEAST once a week.
10. Take a walk outside for fresh air at least 30 minutes at least 3x a week. If you can actually exercise, even better! We need to prioritize moving. Our movement right now is not normal, and that’s very hard on your motivation.
11. Drink 3-4 glasses of water per day at a minimum, and above all, AVOID SUGAR. Sugar makes your brain feel sad and terrible. It’s highly addictive. Avoid it at all costs.
12. Take a break after school and do something that is pure FUN for you; then do your homework. After homework, do another FUN thing.
I hope this helps you, dear Lilian, as it has helped my students! I am very sorry for this delayed reply. I got a flood of messages all at once and am working my way through them. 🙂
Be well,
Susanna