FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEARS

During the course of the freshman year, students will meet with a member of the Guidance and College Counseling Office to develop a four-year academic plan. This plan will ensure that graduation requirements are met and help guide each student toward a challenging academic schedule.

Students are strongly encouraged to contribute to the life of the school through participation in extracurricular programs. A college night for freshman and sophomores is held in the spring to answer college admissions questions and to discuss high school planning. The primary responsibility for a freshman is to come through with a strong academic performance which will provide a solid grade point average. Most universities will consider a student’s freshman year performance, and the grades earned in this first year will be factored into the Maranatha High School cumulative GPA.

Does the Freshman Year Count?
One of the many rumors that circulate each year is that the freshman year does not count and, therefore, freshman grades are not important. This rumor is based upon the fact that the University of California and the California State University System do not officially look at freshman grades. However, each state system will eventually request what courses the student took during the freshman year and what the student’s grade was in these courses. Most private colleges consider freshman year grades as an integral part of their review.

The fact remains that freshman year grades become a part of the cumulative grade point average here at MHS. If a student is planning to apply to any private college, freshman year grades will become a factor in the admission process. More importantly, admission personnel tend to note grade trends. For example, if a student’s grade point average increases each year, this is a positive trend. If the grade point average decreases, a negative trend is noted. Obviously, students should try to improve their grades each semester or at least maintain their grade point average.

The best academic recommendation for freshman is to start out on the right track to give the best possible chance for future college admissions. Adjusting to the academic and social environments of high school is the primary goal for all freshmen.

Balance Your Schedule
All students should try to balance their academic schedules. Try to challenge yourself in academic areas of interest to you and make sure you are completing the necessary graduation requirements. Your Guidance Counselor is a key person in this assessment. Students need to demonstrate to an admission representative that they are academically motivated throughout their high school career and will continue to be motivated students in college.

During their freshman year, students are limited in their course selection, leaving little room for creativity. However, students will begin to make more choices in their sophomore and junior years. If you do well in these required courses, you may be encouraged to enroll in an AP course your junior or senior year. Remember that colleges are looking for students who are willing to take the challenge of a more difficult course load. Students often ask if an ‘A’ in a regular course is better than a ‘B’ in an honors course. Of course, earning an ‘A’ in an Honors or AP course is best. However, be aware that admission committees are certainly understanding of the inherent difficulties of this type of coursework and will be more forgiving with a grade that is a bit lower in an honors class. In addition, students are not allowed to remain in advanced courses if they are earning below a “B-.”

Get Involved
What do you like to do with your free time? What talents do you possess? How can you contribute your talents to the community at Maranatha High School? Do you have an out-of-school activity that takes a majority of your free time? (For example: showing horses, playing a musical instrument, job, youth group, etc.) These are important questions for a freshman to consider.

College admission officers do not need to see that a student was involved in ten extra-curricular activities. Alternately, it is their judgment as to the extent that one makes a difference in the various extracurricular activities available that will affect their assessment of the student. Colleges need students who want to get involved and make college life exciting and richer for their peers. These are the individuals who admission officers want to have on their campuses. Find the activity or activities that excite you and see what you can do to get involved.