<p>Here is our problem. S#1 attended mediocre-at-best-public schools in a small town for grades 3-11. This past summer we moved overseas and for grade 12 he is attending a private college prep school with very high standards. His 6th semester transcripts show him with a 3.98 and top 5% of class. For 7th semester he is taking 3 AP classes and will end up with mostly B's and maybe an A or 2. And with his first C ever in AP Biology! (Also my son is a biology major.) He has applied to 2 honors programs/top scholarships that have specifically requested 7th semester grade reports before they make decisions. We have already sent in all other materials including both high schools' profiles. I am concerned that when these programs see this grade drop, especially the C, it will not look good. His new guidance counselor has offered to write a letter to accompany the 7th semester grade report. What information do you think that letter should include?</p>
<p>There is really only one thing that could be of any import: rank. If your son's grades in the private school are in line with the rest of the top performing students in his current class, then that should be taken into consideration. Otherwise, its probably wise to realize that the big fish in a small pond is now a smaller fish in a big pond and it might be more difficult to qualify for honors programs and scholarships.</p>
<p>Did your son take the SATII in Biology? His score on that probably will lead to the conclusion as to whether he is going to be competetive for such programs.</p>
<p>Hopefully the school will understand that the transition to a new Country snd new school takes a toll. I know when we moved from the UK back to the States it took a term for my child then in high school to get adjusted to the new sysrem. Perhaps the couselor could focus on the differences in the systems and the necessary adjustment.</p>
<p>I might suggest not putting Bio as an intended major bcos many of those kids are premed and the competition is tough.</p>
<p>Agree with Kirmum....new country, new school, new culture, new expectations, etc.....I think the GC should give YOU some feedback about hwere your S falls when compared to the rest of his class ( to Massguy's point). If he is in line or slightly below, the GC can write a glowing report about how accomplished he is to have weathered such a transition while barely missing a beat. She can say that the transition was probably even more severe than that of high school to college (because of the overseas move) and that this is a rare opportunity for the college to actually get a glimpse of how a student would weather such dramatic change, which he has done very well. This is assuming that most of the kids are receiving Bs - don't sweat the one C if he has had a stellar record to date. Anyone is allowed time to transition!</p>
<p>If this is a good school, the GC will know what to write.</p>
<p>Another idea is to have my son write an explanation via e-mail. He could say that the pre-AP Biology class at the old high school was not adequate preparation for the AP at the new high school. Also about how much he is learning in the new high school. Just don't want all of this to sound like excuses. There were a couple of times that my son just gave up for a week because that class is so hard and he lost his confidence. Then he would gather himself together and start studying again. Turns out this teacher is one of the most demanding in the whole school. I f we had known this in advance I probably wouldn't have encouraged my son to take this class.</p>
<p>All good advice here. Unfortunately, he will be judged with the kids in the system all along who have done well this term. A lot of kids, however, do not do so well this term. But you are not going to get any breaks. If anything he got a break with those earlier grades, as kids with lower grades than his are behind him line. The counselor can give all of the explanations, but really for ultra selective schools, they are looking for reasons to cut. And bio as a major, as bluebayou mentions is not a good idea, depending on the college. At Hopkins, for example, the bar is definitely higher for any of the natural science majors or anyone who smells like he is premed.</p>