So, my overall GPA is like a 3.2. I’m a senior now and I haven’t gotten any D’s or F’s over these past few years (9th-11th) until now. I am very disappointed in myself… I know I could’ve done better if I really put in all the time and effort this fall semester but I completely screwed up and now I think I can’t do anything about it. I shockingly received not 1, but 2 F’s this fall semester!!! I failed my AP Calculus class and my Physics class (which are 2 courses I don’t need to pass in order to graduate) but THIS IS STILL HORRIFYING!!.. I finished applying to many colleges… including UC’s, CSU’s, and private colleges/universities… I am afraid that all of these colleges will most definitely rescind my application… I hired a tutor to help my out on calculus… Im currently trying to keep up with my physics class so I won’t get lost and I ask for help after school… What if I get at least a B or higher in both of these classes this spring semester and I get A’s in the rest of my classes? What do you think colleges will think then? My SAT scores weren’t so hot either… I got around the 1400’s … But I do a lot of extracurricular activities in and out of school (which helps my application to look good in front of colleges who look at them holistically) … and I mean A LOT! I submitted art supplements with my applications showing them my musical talents since I sing and play 2 instruments which is kind of impressive… What if I retake these 2 classes in a community college over the summer? (i don’t think thats a good idea for colleges that are accepting students before the school year ends) or what else can I do? Is there any way I can retake the 2 classes out of school (like right now, not during the summer) and finish them in time so admission offices can see my improvement? Is that even a possibility or am i just crazy and hoping for a miracle that doesn’t even exist?.. i need some advice… what can I do?! this is crucial… I DO NOT want to attend a community college after high school… I don’t want colleges to rescind my application…
Please when you post don’t do caplocks title. And break up paragraphs with a space inbetween so people don’t have to try to wade through that block o text.
I don’t think you will get accepted to UC with 2 F. I am not sure what the CSU policy is on that. I’d guess it is unlikely at impacted campuses. For private schools, I can’t say as I don’t know where you applied, but you might write a letter of explanation and be upfront with your first semester grades and your plan for the rest of the year. Maybe you might get in somewhere. It seems like CC is the best route for you so you can have some motivation to not let your grades turn into F. That’s like not even trying. You even act like that is some kind of surprise to you.
So I didn’t read any farther up to when you mentioned UC and CSU because you are just seeming to be rambling and there is no point or paragraph break. But I can see 1400, if that is your SAT for 3 sections then that is below average so your college readiness needs a lot of work combined with your grade problems. Learn to take what you can handle and pace yourself through the semester and you can transfer easily to a UC or CSU.
I dont understand how you would be been shocked by getting two “F’s”. I’m sure homework, quizzes and test scores would have given you some indication first?
I’m not sure if the colleges that offers you admission will even look at your final grades. They may just want to see if you graduated. But having “F’s” is not good.
However, you REALLY should work your butt off to raise those two class grades to at least a final grade of a “C”. Do something before you graduate not after.
BTW, having a lot of extra curricular activities doesn’t look good when your grades and standardized tests suffer. College will see this as a negative in your case. Right now you are better off using your EC time to put towards raising those grades.
THE PERSON YOU SHOULD SPEAK WITH IS YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR. HE OR SHE IS BEST EQUIPPED TO SALVAGE YOUR SITUATION. AND CONSIDER CEASING ALL OTHER ECS WHILE YOU’RE TRYING TO REPAIR YOUR CLASSES – THEY ARE IRRELEVANT AT THIS POINT.
(Do you see how invasive it is to read a body of text in all caps?) Best of luck to you.
What’s really annoying is reading posts harping about format!
My sympathies to you. My S also ended up with a D in AP Calc BC and it was not because he put in zero effort. He was struggling and getting extra help but his course load, EC, volunteer workload was also very high. I agree you need to talk with your counselor ASAP but there will likely be some consequence from these grades. Sometimes a letter of explanation showing you are trying to address the problem will help but not for very competitive applications. You really need to see senior year as a prep year for college as the courses will just be harder and you will have more things to juggle.
Here’s another case of the ‘I do a lot of ECs. Will it save me?’ fallacy. Sadly no. One or two ECs done with a high level of commitment is what schools want, not people who pad their resumes with tons of ECs at the expense of their grades.
What can you do at this point? Drop all but one or two of the ECs right now and focus on your school work. Drop the AP Calc for regular calc- you don’t have the foundation in place to continue for another semester in that subject. If there is a lower level Physics class, ditto.
You can’t be rescinded until you are accepted and it’s unlikely that you’ve been accepted at all of these places before April 1. So at this point, you look like a bad risk, assuming they know about your senior grades, an are unlikely to be offered admission in many places. Hopefully, you have a safety and they will give you a chance.
If not, consider a gap year so that your (much improved) second semester senior grades get factored into the overall GPA, and you have time to get your test scores up. 1400 is pretty low. See The Gap Year Advantage. Sounds like an additional year to mature would probably be a good idea any way. You can then reapply with an explanation about how the year off helped you get your focus back on academics after that senior year debacle.
I’m assuming you are a Jr - and not trying to be negative here but, with a 3.2 and 1400 - you aren’t UC bound anyhow. AP Calc and AP Physics aren’t a good fit. If you tried hard this semester and got an F, - it is unlikely the second semester will be different. See if you can drop down to some more manageable math/science.
There are probably still many CSUs open to you. You have to be sure to complete the A-G requirements with a C or better. They require just 3 years of math and 2 of lab science. If you don’t complete the A-G courses, your application isn’t considered - regardless of GPA and test scores. If you’ve got those you remain eligible. You need to check those boxes and nail your GPA this semester.
For all CSUs except CP SLO, they use a simple formula to rank applicants. ECs and course rigor plays no role whatsoever. Only academic (a-g) courses from grades 10-11 and your M&R SAT are included. Right now, your mission should be to complete the required a-g courses, maximize your CSU GPA, then bump your test (ACT or SAT) score.
Read all about it here:
https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/elig_index_calculator.asp
If you end the year with your boxes checked and a CSU GPA of 3.0 and 1100 (M&R) SAT, you’ll be in good shape for Sonoma, Sac State, and a host of other CSUs.
good luck.
Maybe you should cut back on your ECs and focus on your courses. I agree with the suggestion to chat with your GC about your options. Good luck.
Are you a junior or a senior?
If you’re a senior, can you take a gap year?
Also where have you applied, precisely - and did you apply to any private
university (such as Whittier, or URedlands, or St Mary’s California)?
I believe that even at CSUs F’s would get you rescinded.
Only the most selective universities and smaller colleges would look at your ECs.
CSUs are GPA X SAT score only and you’re not UC-bound with these grades and SAT score.
For now, drop down one level - take regular physics and regular calculus (or AB if you are taking BC) if you can. If you can’t, take a tutor and make sure to bring your grades up.
Make sure you have all your A-G requirements covered.
The OP is a senior.
@xoxodynamo You obviously have a serious problem. You have a couple options:
A) talk to guidance counselor
B) drop classes
C) take community college classes in lieu of AP classes. Like take business math instead of calc and then of you can enroll in a community college math course. they are a little easier and you won’t have to take an AP test