Hey everyone, does NYU take freshman year grades into account when reviewing your GPA? My grades were kind of rocky in 9th grade and I'm hoping they won't weigh as heavily.
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NYU does look at your freshman year GPA as part of their holistic review process. The university considers your entire high school academic record, including all four years of grades, when evaluating your application. While freshman year grades are included in your cumulative GPA calculation, they typically carry less weight compared to your junior and senior year performance.
Your upward grade trend matters significantly in NYU's admissions process. If you started with lower grades in freshman year but showed consistent improvement throughout high school, admissions officers will notice and appreciate this positive trajectory. They understand that many students take time to adjust to high school and develop stronger study habits.
NYU's admissions officers are particularly interested in your most recent academic performance, as it's often the best indicator of your current academic abilities and college readiness. Your junior year grades and first-semester senior year grades (if available) typically receive the most attention during application review. Strong performance in advanced courses during these later years can help offset lower freshman grades.
To strengthen your application despite lower freshman grades, focus on maintaining excellent grades in your remaining high school years, especially in challenging courses relevant to your intended major. NYU values academic rigor, so taking advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses and performing well in them can demonstrate your academic growth and readiness for college-level work.
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