I’m currently a sophomore in 3 AP classes, 4 Honors classes. Mostly As, some Bs. I plan on taking 7 AP classes next year. Overall Challenging course load that I’m doing well on, for the most part. The problem is that I am currently failing an elective class I am taking, Pre AP Computer science 1. I had a 92 first semester but I just lost all motivation this semester after missing a week because I was sick and fell very far behind. I have a 64 right now which means I am going to fail. Can I still get into a good college, my number 1 right now is USC for film? Is it a big deal that I failed an elective class?
It sounds to me from your post that taking 7 AP classes next year might be a VERY bad idea. It sounds as if this year you stretched yourself so thin that you broke (at least in one class), so next year you are going to stretch yourself a lot thinner.
I doubt that failing one class will keep you out of a good university. However, it certainly won’t help and will probably keep you out of USC and other equally selective schools.
Not sure why you classify a pre-AP class as an elective? I would see that as failing an academic solid.
You should retake the class and yes, agree with the advice above to make sure your total courseload is a bit more manageable next year.
I wouldn’t say that I was stretched thin because of my course load. It was more of a clsss that no one got As in anyways and I had trouble prioritizing it if I knew i wouldn’t succeed and didn’t carry the same weight as other clssses. And yes it is an elective, doesn’t count in my gpa, and is not a req to graduate.
My understanding is that while your school my classify this class as an elective that is not included in your GPA, your target schools could include it in their calculations.
My brother had the same class, and it did not count as an elective when he took pre ap computer science. It counted as a core class, I do not know if its only in my school or what?
Anyway, we will calculate your GPA on the unweighted scale, specifically this way
(same as my school, may not be same as your school )
https://i0.wp.com/greatcollegeadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/slide15.jpg
let’s say you have 3 A+'s 3 B+'s and 1 D
so that will be:
(3 * 4.0) + (3 * 3.3) + 1 = 3.27
--------------------------
7
Let’s say you got a 4.0 freshman year, so your current HS GPA is 3.63
Let’s say you turn in your college app December of your senior year( IDK if this is when you should turn it in )
and let’s say you gave it your all, and got a 4.0 in your junior year, NOW your HS GPA is 3.75
USC average GPA is 3.73 
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1138
and add to that a bomb ass Act or Sat, Essay, activities, etc
and you can probably get in
Good luck !
Measure your GPA of this year, and last year with this scale (my school uses this scale DK about yours )
https://i0.wp.com/greatcollegeadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/slide15.jpg
Know what you have to do for next year to have an average HS Gpa of at least 3.73 which is there average look here:
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1138
basic math really, they do count it as a regular class tho I think. ;(
but add in a bomb ass: essay, Act or Sat, activities, etc, and they will say " Oh sh** this guy is amazing", and you will get accepted to USC faster than Jesus will accept you.
Good Luck!
Post #4 is what I was trying to say – Your school does not require this for graduation, but that doesn’t mean that a college adcom won’t see it as a solid academic class. It would have added to transcript rigor if you had passed, and it will not look good that you failed.
Many schools will allow for a mistake or two in the early years of high school, but you may have hurt yourself at highly selective schools like USC. Will your high school replace the grade if you retake?
Many colleges that recalculate GPA do not calculate computer science. However, they will note that you have an F in an academic course that may very well affect admission. Such a file may be read by committee. I would suggest that you retake the course and note on your application and have guidance counselor note the higher grade. Taking 7 AP classes next year is too much of a stretch, I am surprised with the F that you are allowed to carry that heavy a load. Your answer that “no one got A’s in anyways” is immature. You did not get a B or even a C, you failed the course. Listen to the advice offered to you about your course load for next year. If you do not carry mostly A’s, your application will take another hit.
Some extra information. My overall year grade was a 80 but my second semester grade was failing
Ask your guidance counselor what grades are shown on the transcript sent to colleges. If your high school transcript only has year end grades then you may have dodged a bullet.
I literally have As in every other class I’m in with the exception of 2 Bs and well, this F
pre-AP will typically be translated as honors by admissions, so they’re going to include it in their GPA, I’m guess that because you have semesters, both grades will show, which you’ll have to explain. Seven APs is not going to look either if your F shows up on the transcript. Colleges will question your judgement and think you’re too academic focused. What APs are you taking, are they all rigorous or do you have some fluff ones in there?
Ya Physics C and APUSH are going to be a struggle next year but AP seminar, Euro, English Comp, Super Chem, and Psych won’t be too bad.