1 C+ in a sea of As

hey so im a current junior rn and I’ve been a 4.0 uw student my whole high school career, in sophomore year a took 3 aps and got all 5s and in my junior year I’m taking 6 ap (this is where the downfall begins). i really messed up first semester junior year and I got a c+ in calc bc but all my other classes (all aps) are As. I’m just wondering if I even have a shot at top schools, I’m really interested in Brown and NYU. if anyone has any stories similar to mine lmk, maybe it’ll give me some motivation and hope :slight_smile:

Sure you have a chance. And still time to bring up the year end calc grade – seek out help (from teacher, perhaps a tutor, online resources) if needed.

1 Like

It will depend on both the school you are applying to and your intended major. If you are hoping to apply as a math major that could be much more problematic than applying, say, as an art history major.

No one is perfect, and schools understand that. In the meantime, as @happy1 suggests, do all you can to bring your grade up this semester - that will really help offest the drop and show your work ethic.

4 Likes

What’s the highest you think you can get to for the year? If you can get to a B, all schools still remain in contention if you remain near the top of your class.

1 Like

my school puts both semesters on our transcript. i ended up dropping the class because it was too much for me but now that I’m doing it outside I think I can get an A

yeah i get what you’re saying. i’ve been looking into pre-med or global health and going down that path. i always hear stories of people in worse situations than me pulling through so hopefully i make it out lol

1 Like

also im really interested in NYU and Brown

Too much stress. Not everyone is perfect. Yet you could be perfect ahd not get into those.

You likely overstepped in math. It’s foundational. Can you go to AB this semester ?

But it’s not a deathknell. It’s crazy rigor fkr 11th grade.

But don’t move on til you understand it. Mmyou can’t control who will accept you so put that out of your mind.

2 Likes

if you don’t get in to one of those schools you will never know why! Kids will As and perfect SATs don’t get in (and some with a number of Bs do and no scores do). Statistically so so few kids get in…

That said, if you get the year/2nd semester grade up, I do not think it will be disqualifying, if that is what you think. BC calc is hard! And really hard depending on the teacher. You are also taking BC calc a year earlier than most…if not 2 years earlier depending on the school system… Excellent math scores on standardized tests or other math ECs, can also ameliorate it potentially…

If you haven’t ever seen your real transcript (some kids only ever see online grade books), make sure you learn if semester or just year end grades show. I have kids in 2 different HS and both only have year end grades for 9, 10, 11.

yeah i’m pretty sure my school shows both semesters :frowning: sucks cuz i’ve always been good at math but I did have some extenuating circumstances with my dad being diagnosed w cancer ig. I’m trying to find a way to take it off my transcript or having it done over the summer but not sure if its possible

You can always ask your guidance counselor to mention the difficult circumstances your family is facing in his/her college LOR.

Best wishes for your father’s recovery.

2 Likes

I’m sorry about your dad :mending_heart:

If you dropped the class just make sure it’s a W for withdraw and not I for incomplete. Taking it later sounds like a good plan.

You are going to be just fine, you’ve got so much going for you - I hope your dad will be in good health very soon. :pray:

2 Likes

yeah she’s been really helpful throughout this whole thing and knows my situation really well and told me she would mention all this in her lor and write a good one. i just really hope that brown or nyu isn’t off the table for me yet because Ive worked so hard for it till now and I would hate to have it slip away because of one grade :frowning: I think my overall gpa is still pretty good tho like a 3.9 since it was a 4.0 before

1 Like

thank you so much, means a lot :slight_smile:

If you don’t get into any particular school you will never know the reason. Your hard work and accomplishments in HS will set you up to succeed regardless of what college you ultimately attend. For now I’d focus on doing your best and being there to support your father.

As an aside, I never like the idea of having one or two “dream schools.” Instead, when the time comes work to create a balanced application list with reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be excited to attend.

2 Likes

I am so sorry to hear about your dad.

If it really stands out amongst your other grades, I agree with others your counselor should mention in in their letter!

Also if you get a really good grade second semester I am not even sure I would highlight it and draw more attention (though you may want to ask others on that… seems borderline).

yeah it does i have As and no Bs in every other class but Calc lol. i was wondering if you knew of there was a way to have first semester replaced by a different grade because ive seen some ppl mention that online

Sorry to hear about your dad but you cannot say, it’s why you got a C - especially when you didn’t in others. No one knows why you got a C.

It may be that you stepped up too high.

Regardless, if you have a 4.0 and a 34 - 36 ACT, you’d still need to have a full and complete list. There was a 36 today with high GPA and rigor deferred at Miami today.

So nothing changes your desire of Brown and NYU - not a C - but your list still will need to include schools that are admission and financial safeties for you - to ensure you have a home.

That might be a Rochester if you like the open curriculum of Brown or if you want urban like NYU, that might include GW or to a lesser urban extent, College of Charleston, Pitt, and Minnesota.

You can’t control what the adcoms will decide so you can’t worry about them.

But you really need to learn the foundational math before moving on.

I hope your dad recovers - and best of luck.

You need to ask your guidance counselor .

1 Like

yeah i see what you’re saying, i’ll def make sure to add in some safeties. a lot of people are saying that i now have a story to tell, whatever that means