<p>hey, so i’m a senior applying to many top schools, including harvard, princeton, and brown plme. my course load has always been outstanding. we have nine periods a day, and this year, because i am ahead in math, i am taking mat 215 analysis in a single variable at princeton university. i commute there 3 days a week for 3 periods out of the day (the two other days i have off). my guidance counselor seriously adores me, and he is basically centering his recommendation around this course. however, i am not doing too hot. at this rate, i think i’ll probably end the course with a C (maybe even a D?). my gc doesn’t know i’m doing this badly, and he gave me the spring semester application with a proud grin on his face. i need a B to be accepted for spring semester courses. if this grade appears on my midyear report, then colleges (especially princeton) might take it as an indicator of my future performance in college. i’m applying to brown plme ed, which i doubt i’ll get into, so the bad grade won’t be seen by them (but when they do see it, is there a chance, i’ll be rescinded?). but the weird thing is that my gc and a friend who took the course a couple years ago both said that they think (but aren’t sure) the grade won’t appear on the midyear report because of difference in timing between our school and princeton’s semester. so, pretty much, i’m asking what should i do!? should i drop it (the last day to drop is november 20) and have the chance of having this dramatic change in my schedule that colleges wouldn’t approve of, and the legitimacy of my recommendation gone? should i endure and simply accept the grade, hoping it won’t appear on my midyear report?
any advice at all would be helpful. sorry for pretty much writing an essay lol. thanks</p>
<p>I think you should stick with it. =]</p>
<p>ok, that’s what i’m thinking too, but i’m not convinced. because i really am afraid that this major component of my app will pretty much be nullified if colleges find out for the midyear report (but then again, it would be nullified if i drop it too). ahhh i hate this lol</p>
<p>Why won’t the colleges you apply to ever see your grade? Presumably if you expect to end up with a C or a D your grade at the moment isn’t so hot either.</p>
<p>because there’s apparently a chance that princeton can’t get my school the grade in time for the midyear reports. so if that’s true, then only the college that i decide to attend will see it on my final transcript (rescind?). if it’s not true, then all of my colleges will see the C/D or drop on the midyear report if i don’t get into brown plme ed. idk if i answered your question…</p>
<p>Interesting. I dunno, applying to a college with this course as a centerpiece of your application and then showing up with a C or D may be grounds for rescission, though I am by no means an expert.</p>
<p>Can/would your counselor write a new recommendation for you if you explain what happened and drop it?</p>
<p>that’s a good idea. i think i’ll meet with my gc and see if he has a definitive opinion. i’ll definitely bring up what you said though, khaki. thanks
any more insight?</p>
<p>Well, I’m not sure. It’s really a shame that you have to deal with something like this at such a late date.</p>
<p>Honestly, if you’re applying to schools like Princeton, Brown, and Harvard, a C or D on your transcript from senior year will be crippling - particularly when it’s in a class that you’re suggesting forms the core of your application. I feel like it would almost be WORSE if they didn’t see your grade, because these schools will base their decision on you off of their good-faith assumption that you’re doing well in the class, and suddenly be faced with the reality that though it was highly-touted in your application you are in fact doing a very sub-standard job.</p>
<p>Ultimately this is a decision you’re going to have to make yourself, but sadly I think I have to caution you to be sure to consider the costs that “sticking it out” may have on your future, no matter how satisfying it might feel.</p>
<p>Best,
Khaki</p>
<p>well, that’s not what i wanted to hear, but unfortunately, i think you’re right lol…
i guess it’s not actually the core of my app, just the core of my gc recommendation. but an additional letter from my gc could patch that up a little bit, hopefully</p>
<p>can you try to work harder and raise your grade?</p>
<p>yes, i can, but it’s hard to improve.
the class’ grade works like this:
10% quiz
20% homework
30% midterm
40% final
and just to show how ridiculous the course is, i got a 10/60 on the midterm, but i was curved up to a C</p>
<p>bump… this got displaced quickly</p>