<p>RedC - My understanding is that Iowa and Kenyon are perhaps the most well known (and consequently the most competitive to get into), but there are many strong programs, including Sewanee and UVA, that also offer great experiences. There’s no way that grades could have been the determinative factor in my D’s case, so I assume the decision must have been primarily based on the writing and the teacher rec. Or that if they like your writing and recs, problematic grades won’t disqualify you.</p>