Here is the situation. Test scores are quite good- ACT: 35, SAT: 790 Math, 720 Verbal. Overall GPA is 91.3 (A- student). Several AP courses (ex., AP Calculus AB) with “5” on AP exam. Extracurricular: active in many school bands and Band Captain Jr & Sr years.
In sophomore year, took an audio/visual communications elective course and received a failing grade. Projects were handed in late and not accepted by teacher. Lesson learned in time management that will carry forward. This was an anomaly as I’ve not had any other grade below a B.
Colleges will see this “F” on my transcript. How would you address this with respect to my college application?
I agree…Colleges want students who can succeed. They see your good scores, and your good grades in your core courses. They see an F in an elective…they may think “maybe that student isn’t good at A/V communications” or “maybe that student was having issues that year and sacrificed a non core course” or “maybe something was weird between the teacher/student”…But they see you taking AP Calc and AP whatever else and doing well so they think that was an anomoly.
You know, I might put a note in Addl Info to this effect. Normally I wouldn’t recommend it. But something brief, accepting responsibility, kind of like what you said here seems okay (just a couple sentences, not an essay). So many times applicants whine about unfair teachers, etc — your acceptance of the consequences is refreshing.
OK, I was leaning towards writing a brief note in Additional Info section. I didn’t want to focus on any negative aspect of my application (transcript) but I also thought it important to clarify this anomaly grade and take ownership of what I learned. Do you think Additional Info section is better to address it verses having Guidance Counselor include in his letter?