<p>I will begin applying to colleges in a few months, and I realize that my transcript looks horrible. My gpa is decent (3.45 uw, 4.1w), but my grades in many classes have been Cs, Ds and even one F. I can explain some of these grades with an illness from freshman year, but not all. I’ve used the grade forgiveness option to replace the grades, but they are still on my transcript. Taking into account that all of my academic classes are ap/honors/dual enrollment/ Ib, how bad is this? </p>
<p>I have high test scores (34 ACT), an extensive list of writing related ecs and accomplishments and my poor grades were all in math/science courses. I intend on applying ED at Vassar, and I’m also applying to Bard, Colby and other northeastern Lib arts schools. (I’m male, so hopefully I will have at least some advantage.) Am I on the right track exploring these schools, or should I aim for schools that are less selective?</p>
<p>If all those C’s, D’s, and one F are in your freshmen year, you shouldn’t have huge problems with LAC such as Vassar, Bard, and Colby. Not saying you are a match for them, but you’ll have good chances of getting in.</p>
<p>LACs are particularly good at spending enough time with an application file to get a true “feel” for what makes the applicant tick. Freshman year is easily overlooked, in light of the outlier grades. They will see that you re-took those courses, and that they are in an area that you will not pursue at the college level.</p>
<p>No harm, no foul. You might not get in, but it would NOT be because of those freshman grades. It would be because there is only room for about half the applicants with your So-Sr. stats.</p>
<p>Your grades may hurt you at the more selective schools because you’ll be competing against kids who won’t have that issue. </p>
<p>However…What will your actual transcript show??? Transcripts are very different from report cards.</p>
<p>Some transcripts only show a “year end” grade for each class, Some only show semester grades. </p>
<p>Have you seen an actual copy of your transcript? If not, ask to see one. </p>
<p>If some of those bad grades were quarter grades, but your semester or year end grades were better, than those low grades may not show at all.</p>
<p>What schools are you considering?</p>
<p>Will your parents pay for whatever school you get accepted to? If not, how much will they pay each year? If you don’t know, ask. </p>
<p>What about financial safety schools? Which ones are you considering?</p>