Glenny

Hi. So I really love Barnard, it's my second choice. I plan on applying REGULAR DECISION if I get rejected from my first choice.
I was wondering if my senior grades might affect me tremendously.

Circumstances: I'm a senior year transfer into a high school in Illinois from a different state (NY). I transferred with flawless straight As, Top 3% of my new high school's class and a VERY rigorous schedule (10 APs by graduation).

Senior grades: I'm afraid this will hurt me...
AP Calc BC- B
AP Chem- B
Physics- B or A (depending on the rest of the semester)
AP English- A
AP Gov- A
Gym- B

I figured if my counselor can explain the hard transition for me (senior transfer) then maybe that can compensate.

Thanks!

Glenny

It's only accelerated physics..

barnard92

I dont think you should really worry, I cant imagine how hard it must be to transition senior year and if I were on admissions I would definitely take that into account. Also, you are taking difficult courses and I would just say try to improve second quarter because showing improvement is also good.

Good luck with everything!

wej

I would disagree. I don't mean to trivialize how difficult the transition was, especially before senior year, but I don't think that it justifies poor grades, especially in every class.

Regardless, do try to show improvement in the second semester. If only the first semester grades are poor, it will likely be overlooked.

Glenny

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm wondering though: Are Bs in AP Calc BC and AP Chem exactly dismal (ie "poor")?

ch0c0lat3

It really depends on your school. At my school, AP chem is a double period, the teachers attempt to give their students more homework than any other chem student in the nation, there's a 100% exam pass rate, and you can get a C in the class and still get a 5 on the exam. I have a friend in California, who got straight A's, yet his whole class would get 1's and 2's on the exam. Calling a course "AP" doesn't always identify its rigor.

But if you go to a very competitive, nationally ranked school such as mine, B's are good! They will look at you in the context of your school. Also, senior year grades aren't given as much attention as your other high school grades.

Glenny

Good point, we have 100% pass rate as well for AP Chem. It's the hardest science class in the school (it tops AP Physics) and it's double period. I'm not sure how other Barnard applicants were from this new school. Thanks though!

wej

Oh, no, I don't mean to say they're terrible. Just said "poor" to contrast. It feels like a significant drop and it may worry the counselors but, like I said, shouldn't be a huge factor as long as you bring the grades up second semester.