Hi! I’m relatively new to this site. But, I was wondering how do admission people look at a grade of a D in an AP class for first semester, but you worked hard and got a A in the second semester? Do they still look down on you for that bad grade you had in the first semester of taking the class? Or just look at the most recent grade that you got in the second semester as your potential to do good? Thank you all!
While I can’t answer this for sure since I’m not an admissions officer, what I have noticed is they value improvement, especially of the caliber. I’ve been admitted to two of my top choices, both reach schools (sub 20 percent acceptance rate for one and sub 10 percent out of state acceptance rate for the other) while receiving a C in the first semester of an AP Class. I think that C didn’t really affect their decision seeing as I did better in every following class of the same subject. A D is significantly lower than a C but I think it’s possible that admissions officers will view it the same way as long as you showed continued improvement. Getting one D while maintaining As after shows more that there was maybe an issue in that first semester that you were able to solve moving into the second semester. I wouldn’t worry too much as long as all your other grades are good. Take advantage of any place you have to explain why you received this grade.
First, for competitive (and holistic) colleges, if you’re otherwise a strong applicant, they’d be curious what happened. They’d look at what class, whether it’s rigorous, how it relates to your major, etc.
Then, probably, a look to your GC and teacher LoRs, for some idea if it’s a fluke.
Of course, if you’re a senior, there won’t be 2nd semester grades.
If you’re a junior or below, the subsequent rigorous courses you took/take (and how well you do) in that area can show you do have the strengths. (Not just any AP, to collect a count.)
We don’t know if you’re aiming for a competitive holistic college.
Not really. I’m looking at more of the UC Schools. Like the low to mid-tier ones. For more information, I have a 3.4 UW GPA and a 3.6 W GPA. Also, I just ended my first semester of Junior year, and onto my second one, so I will update you guys on how I did at the end of my second semester, as well as some of the colleges I’m looking at, test scores etc. Sorry if I came off a little vague.
For UCs, grades in 10th and 11th grade will be included in high school GPA recalculations (see GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub ). Note that a D or F grade is not eligible for the bonus point for an AP or honors course. Most UC web sites referring to high school GPA refer to the weighted-capped version (versus unweighted or fully weighted) unless specified otherwise.
UC admission readers will also see your list of courses and grades that you self-report in the UC application. CSUs, which recalculate high school GPA similarly, just plug the GPA into their admission formula to rank order applicants to campuses and majors.
Also, note that a D or F grade disallows the semester from being used to fulfill UC or CSU a-g subject requirements.
Oh ok. So, if I get a C or higher second semester would it fulfill it?