Can excellent 1st quarter Senior report card grades compensate for a bad junior year?

TruthfuLie · 08-03-2007, 03:52 AM

I had an atrocious junior year filled with depression, health problems, and "drama" with friends which caused my grades to suffer; I ended the year with 4 A's, 5 B's, and a C. Can great marks 1st quarter of senior year compensate for this? My counselor is going to write me a letter explaining everything...how much can this compensate too?

Im applying to: Cornell, Duke, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, University of Rochester,
and some safeties

i also should mention i have a 2300 SAT but my GPA weighted is under 4.0 cause of junior year...any help?

ses · 08-03-2007, 08:24 AM

Your counselor's letter can help a lot.

And it's not going to be your first quarter grades, it's going to be your first semester grades. Apply ED without the opportunity to redeem yourself may put you in a tricky situation whereas applying RD everywhere would allow schools to see your midyear report with the new, better grades.

you'llsee... · 08-03-2007, 09:53 AM

^ ses, what is the diffference b/w quarter, and semester? ( my school only talks about quarter). i was always under the impression that colleges see the 1st quarter grades.

also, to the op, junior year is supposedly the most important year. so i don't think one quarter or semester of grades could make up for a whole year. however, like ses said, your GC could definitely help a lot by explaining the situation.

scutler · 08-03-2007, 09:53 AM

yeah, the letter should help. wait until RD though.

UCDAlum82 · 08-03-2007, 10:20 AM

I don't believe the UC's see your senior year grades until after you've been accepted. Certainly they don't ask for senior year transcripts until after your senior year is complete.

FredFredBurger · 08-03-2007, 01:01 PM

Well you're lucky your two reach schools, Cornell and Duke, place great emphasis on your SAT I score (as compared to their peers).

TooRichForAid · 08-03-2007, 01:34 PM

It will certainly help with private schools but not with UCs. They don't care what school you go to even, straight GPAs and courseload, they don't care that much about SAT I either.

TruthfuLie · 08-03-2007, 03:35 PM

thanks for all the responses guys,

UCDAlum82, my first quarter (halfway point of 1st semester) ends November 13th and UC Apps are due Nov 30th. If I had all A's for first quarter could my counselor write that fact on the letter too? As you said the UC's don't even look at senior grades.

"you'll see," usually a quarter is just the halfway point of a semester (2 semesters per year, 4 quarters) at most schools.

1MX · 08-03-2007, 03:40 PM

it will definitely help, but there will still be that blackmark on your transcript. Make sure the letter is thorough.

TruthfuLie · 08-04-2007, 01:05 AM

thanks, any other input?

the UCs do allow optional recommendations by counselors right? Cause that's the mean by which I'll way I'll be able to explain my situation.

bessie · 08-04-2007, 02:57 AM

In the past, Uc's have included a section where the applicant can explain any mitigating circumstances that have affected their grades. It is separate from the essays. I think the only way they see your senior grades before they accept you is if you are selected for augmented review. That is for borderline applicants; they are offered the chance to fill out a supplemental packet, including a teacher or counselor rec and first semester senior grade report.

FresnoMom · 08-04-2007, 10:39 AM

I would not count on "great marks 1st quarter of senior year" to help you get into the UCs and to my knowledge, they don't accept counselor recs unless you are borderline, as bessie said.

They changed the essays this year (only 2 instead of 3) but they do read those essays for evidence of "special circumstances."

Your SAT score is excellent. What is your UC GPA?

TruthfuLie · 08-04-2007, 04:24 PM

My UC GPA is 3.5

My ECs:

• Head Webmaster of school website (12)
• Designed several websites for teachers and my school's American Redcross Club (11-12)
• Served on the school's Tech Staff (10-12)--this is for students only though..adults are not on the staff.
• Volunteering at a local senior center helping the elderly by serving food and teaching them computer skills (70 hours) and with my school's Red Cross Club (30 hours)
• Volleyball (10-11) (JV--team went 12-2 during the season

--I'm thinking of starting a web design business in the next few weeks (because I like web design)...but it might be too late for this.

Some awards I have:
*Social Science Diligence Award - "in recognition of outstanding classroom achievement in AP European History"--though I got a B in the class.
*SPUR Award - for demonstrating Integrity, Honor, and Social-responsibility (this is a prestigious school award--I've received 3 of these from 3 different teachers grades 9-11, 2 freshman year and 1 junior year. Few students get these.)
*2 Athletic Excellence Awards

I have a passion for technology but I don't want to major in computer science or engineering because I know I won't get in to UCLA/UC Berkeley.

frutiaspice · 08-04-2007, 04:33 PM

It probably will help somewhat but it won't completely offset your junior year grades though the letter from your counselor will definitely help. UCs don't even look at your senior grades so it won't matter to them unfortunately.

bluebayou · 08-04-2007, 07:14 PM

Junior year grades are the most for UC applicants. Unfortunately, 3.5 UC gpa is not very competitive for Cal, UCLA and, in particular UCSD, which is more numbers-oriented. USe one essay to explain your situation. It may just trigger augmented review, and a request for senior grades. But, understand, I know of kids rejected from UCI with a 3.5 UC gpa and strong test scores (but lower than yours). Unless you have a hook, I think Duke and Cornell are big reaches.

I strongly discourage applying ED. You will NEED a first semester transcript for the reach colleges and it won't be available under ED.

Good luck.