chixtwix45

I posted a similar thread in the Cornell forum. I'm concerned about my one C... mehh

gibby

I don't know whether this is true or not, but several years back when we toured Yale, our tour guide mentioned that Yale always reserves at least one spot for a 'C' student . . . because you never know who might become President of the United States: http://2004.georgewbush.org/bios/yale-transcript.asp

chixtwix45

Haha, that sorta made me feel better.

bulldog2016

My first semester freshman year I had 2 B's and a C. Looks like I was headed to StateU. I since got 2 B's. My guess is that Yale admissions saw my GPA improving throughout my HS career and slotted me in. My unwieghted GPA ended at 3.79 and wieghted at 4.28.

mmmgirl

I think a C is something that could be overcome. You would need to explain it somehow (and not in a whiny, "but my teacher suuuuucked!" type of way) and show improvement since then.

It would be better if the C wasn't in your junior year and wasn't in a class similar to your potential major or that you claim is your favorite/best subject. A C WILL probably hurt (not to discourage you, but it's true) but it won't necessarily kill your chances if your overall GPA is good.

Ambitious19

Hmm a C is pretty harmful to your application, considering that the majority of Yale applicants has a 4.0...was the C in an AP or honors course? When did you receive the C? Was it in freshman year? Did you show any progression grades-wise throughout your high school career?

Kdog044

A C can be overcome but it is never a good thing. To put it into perspective, my son was originally waitlisted without even having as low as an A- on his transcript.

RadSquared

In order to give you the best answer/for you to determine which advice is applicable, you should probably specify what class and what year the C was in. And while Kdog044's situation speaks to a larger trend (that Yalies have very good grades and even someone who never got an A- may not get in), her story does not really "put it into perspective" for you. As someone else said, they were accepted with 4 Bs and 2 Cs in high school, so obviously the GPA/grades students are accepted with are highly variable.

Don't fret!