<p>My fashion & design teacher was horrible. I received a B+ because my sewing skills were not good enough! I stayed after many days to work more on my projects. I’m not very good at art, but I tried my best with the sewing and got 100%'s on every test. I pleaded for an A-, but she told me that I wasn’t a good enough sewer…Should this also be explained?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t. It sounds like you’re just making excuses and blaming the teachers, I don’t think schools would appreciate that…</p>
<p>When you have to explain multiple failures on the teachers’ parts, it starts to sound more like the constant’s (i.e., your) fault.</p>
<p>Edit: Note that the OP changed the original post, to which I had responded.</p>
<p>What about just the fashion one? I think that grading based on artistic ability is extremely unfair…</p>
<p>Thats how most art classes are…I mean, its an art class, not a participation grade</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I can’t imagine a reasonable, convincing, or eloquent conveyance of that sentiment to colleges. Can you?</p>
<p>^Agreed. You did a poor job of picking your elective. There’s no reason that only academic classes be graded on ability and electives just on participation. </p>
<p>Don’t explain it. If the rest of your transcript is strong, it will speak for itself.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how a single stray B in a non-academic course can damage your transcript.</p>
<p>
???
But grading on math ability is fair. What’s the difference? I’m always amused when people say that grades in gym or art shouldn’t be based upon the student’s level of achievement. There’s nothing wrong with being a C+ artist or a B- dodgeball player; it won’t affect an application.</p>
<p>What would your response be to the A+ gym student who says, “I just don’t have natural math talent/ability so my math grade should be based on effort.”</p>
<p>And before anyone chimes in about sewing being an elective, psychology, philosophy, and journalism are electives - effort only grades there also?</p>
<p>^The line gets a little trickier with academic electives. But grades should be based on achievement (not necessarily ability; I think natural talent is overrated), not on whether or not you deign to show up.</p>