Thoughts on GPA - BBs, EBs?

Semi-target (Duke, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt). Finished first year - GPA is a 3.0. Taking summer courses and after second year first sem, assuming during second sem, interviews already happen, hoping to grind ass off and bring it up to a ~3.7. Most of my summer courses are bird courses like visual art, etc. But first year courses like actual major courses have ass GPA. A few things happened in family (death, traveling between countries + was down with a terrible fever during finals for a sem) but still take accountability nonetheless and that's why I'm hoping to bring it up in the future. When I apply, would a BB look at first year courses and would that look bad esp if my core courses in second year all have A+?