Does it matter if you got a D that counts as an A?

Saugus · 11-20-2009, 06:41 PM

Do High Schools calculate GPA and send it to the colleges, or do colleges calculate it on their own? Here's the situation:

I'll probably get a D in Honors Algebra 2/Trig after today's test. Theoretically, I could get a C, but there's not a huge difference between the two anyway since they're both horrid. If I get a C, then I can't re-take the class. If I get a D, then I can re-take the class and have it count as an A, even though it will still show up on my transcript.

So my high school will list my GPA as like a 3.9 unweighted, 4.75 weighted, Valedictorian (Likely).

But I'll have a D on my transcript.

Or is rank much more important than GPA?

MrSudden · 11-20-2009, 08:19 PM

Rank is usually more important than GPA.

If you can explain why you received a D and how it counts as an A then you should.

But a D does look horrible if you're applying to top schools.

Saugus · 11-20-2009, 09:11 PM

^
Like, it'll show both of the grades. It will shows the D and then that I re-took it and I got an A.

I'm afraid that my explanation is horrible. Nothing traumatic happened and I got As in everything else except AP Chemistry, was selected for the Academic Decathlon team out of a pool of students, and basically had a pretty decent year. (Sophomore this year.)

The one reason is that the class is extremely hard, and that's all there is to it. I just outright failed without any outside factors.

I mean, the teacher is notoriously bad and his tests are very difficult. Less than 10 out of 120 people get As, around 40-50 drop at the semester, and the rest get Cs or Bs.

I don't want to blame the teacher as an excuse, because I should have been one of those 10 people.... I'm just really not that good at math.

I'm confident that I can get an A if I re-take it at a private math school in our area that is much better at teaching, though. (I took Honors Geometry there.)

So do UPenn and other top schools re-calculate GPA or just go with what's listed?

Also, would a C have made a significant difference? The policy is that you can only change the GPA grade if you get a D or an F, and not for a C since a C is considered decent enough. (And in fact above average for this class.)

I mean, I can theoretically get a C after today, but I don't feel like it's worth it. It might axe my chances at Valedictorian as I will only have a 4.3 instead of a 4.67 with the re-take, and a C is still a horrible grade.

Awped · 11-20-2009, 09:14 PM

It doesn't really matter whether they recalculate the GPA, because they will still see the D. It would be best if you had some explanation, but if you have straight A's and just one D, I wouldn't be too worried.

Saugus · 11-20-2009, 10:22 PM

^
OK, so being 1st out of 628 negates the damage? Good.

Thanks guys, I was pretty worried.

Olive007 · 11-20-2009, 10:29 PM

How do know that you'll be Valedictorian when you're only at the beginning of your sophomore year? It seems odd that you would know this, especially in such a large class.

Your school will take the grades of another school - which you're simultaneously attending - and add them to your transcript?

hardworking21 · 11-20-2009, 11:19 PM

^^Not really. In my class of 800-900, one student took 5 weighted classes freshman year, and got all As both semesters. No other student did this. The same pattern occurred sophomore year too. Therefore, the chances of a choke by this student is slim to none, so we know that this person will be valedictorian.

Saugus · 11-21-2009, 01:18 AM

^
Yeah, I'm that person, lol. Nobody else really cares as much as me. I plan out my classes strategically- including taking online PE at BYU- to give my GPA as much weight as possible.

Yeah, my school will add transcripts from Math Support; they work together. Math Support has MUCH better teachers. Sadly, they aren't even really teachers. They're people who go to a local liberal arts college or retirees who somehow teach better than an actual math teacher. -.-;

An0maly · 11-21-2009, 09:30 AM

Nonetheless, a D is a D. Do well in your later math classes and show you're good at math, but it's hard to negate that kind of damage. Your rank + other grades will definitely help, however.

hardworking21 · 11-21-2009, 10:42 AM

Saugus-I wish I was that lucky. I live in IL, and the law require 4 years of PE, with no online option. Even though that means everyone in my school gets a lower GPA (so there is a balance), it won't keep me as competitive.

. You are a lucky child. Good luck with this whole issue!

Saugus · 11-21-2009, 12:08 PM

^
I wouldn't worry. All that colleges care about is that you took advantage of everything that was offered to you. You can't help it that you had to take four years of gym.

My school doesn't offer AP Macro/Micro Economics. And I'm trying to become an Economics major... Lol. I hope that that doesn't hurt me.

Is there a major difference between a D and a C-?

hardworking21 · 11-21-2009, 11:56 PM

^^ I hope that is the case. And yea, a C- and a D are really different impression wise. Like a A- and a B+. Even if the percentage difference is incredibly minimal, maybe even a difference of < 0.1%, it does look better to have the A than the B. (I'm assuming something similar for the C/D case).

Wildwood11 · 11-22-2009, 08:00 AM

Out of curiosity, how on earth can you take PE online?

littlemikey4 · 11-22-2009, 02:47 PM

@saugus... both of the ap econ tests are fairly easy to self study for which could show a strong interest in your intended field of study

and ya... how can you take PE online?!?!???

Saugus · 11-22-2009, 03:05 PM

^
BYU offers an online PE program. I can give you the link if you want it. My counselor even told me about it... I was amazed too.

I'm not sure if it's so much a PE class as some sort of health class that counts for gym credits. It takes 8 weeks to complete.

Uhg... I could theoretically get a C- still, but that would hurt my class rank. It's a gamble either way. I just figured that since both a C and a D are basically failing grades, it doesn't matter between them and I'll take the one that's better for my GPA. (The D.)

What's most frustrating to me is that this really is not something that I could help. I'm basically an average math student in terms of ability, but got As in Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry simply because I had pretty good teachers and studied hard. This teacher is notoriously difficult and the most hated in the school.

But on the other hand, 10-12 people did get As out of 150... Around another 20-25 got Bs, 35-40 got Cs, and the rest got Ds or Fs. -.-;

Thanks for the advice about the two AP Economics tests. I think I'll try taking them next year. How long would you advise studying for them?