In my first run through Cordelia majorly sucked. I remember her getting 2-3 stat ups most of the time, and she fell behind very quickly.
I don't think I've had a character majorly screwed like that in any subsequent playthroughs. Well, maybe. In my current playthrough, Stahl had such pitiful speed as a Cavelier, and I think Sully started borrowing Stahl's growths (more str+def, less skill+speed) for a bitt while she was still a Cavelier. They turned out decent after reclassing, though.