Massive Grade Drop~How much will it hurt?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I have a friend who went from a 4.0 UW (ranked 1st) freshy, sophy, and first semester junior year to a 2.75 second semester junior year (all Bs and a C). He transferred to a competitive science/math boarding school junior year that I go to as well. </p>

<p>How much would this hurt? He’s worried that it’ll be a red flag to universities that he’s slacking off. He had been looking at JHU/Brown/UChicago level schools. And there’s no real explanation–like depression or family problems–for it, just laziness/arrogance imho.</p>

2

<p>It will hurt. However, if he can bring it up drastically first term next year, it can make a difference. It is not uncommon for student to drop grades going into a new environment, particularly one much more rigorous. If he can show that he can recover from it, that would mean a lot.</p>

3

<p>2.75 is fatal for Ivies. Probably almost as bad for JHU and Chicago, barring a huge hook. Rigor of school/curriculum is no excuse.</p>

4

<p>I would suggest not applying early ANYWHERE. That way the schools can see that senior year he hopefully did much better.</p>

5

<p>I agree. A gap year might even be a great idea for such a student, if he can really pull it up senior year. He can get to know the teachers at the school better who can then give him better recs, and parlay that gap year into an advantage, maybe tutoring or helping in schools where the rigor is a disadvantage to kids drawing on his on experience. I’d be willing to bet that those schools would be interested in such a student in that scenario.</p>

6

<p>A Gap year sounds right</p>

7

<p>Hmm, a gap year. I don’t know what he’s going to say. I think he’s in denial about how badly it’s going to hurt him. </p>

<p>But anyway, thanks for the input guys.</p>

8

<p>why would you change schools in the middle of your Junior year? That sounds muy stupido if you ask me…</p>

9

<p>A young man we knew changed schools for senior year. He had finished all of the courses that his middle of the road public school had to offer. There had been talk and promises of things that were to be done, that did not happen. He had not gone through the college process junior year, because he was not thinking of graduating at the end of the year. Mid year, when he realized that his high school was not going to have much for him, he and his parents approached someone at a private school that had all he wanted. He was encouraged to apply, albeit late, since there were some senior seats open, and…voila, he was in a new school senior year. He did not do as well at that school, but he did learn quite a bit and was much, much better prepared for college which was more the goal.</p>

10

<p>No, he entered the school first semester junior year. He got a 4.0 the first semester, and then kinda slacked off 2nd semester even though the classes were quite a bit more difficult. Oh and btw the school is only for juniors and seniors.</p>

11

<p>oh. ah well he still has a mighty fine GPA if he doesnt want to take a gap year. but he should not apply EA</p>