My AB calculus teacher is notorious for giving low grades. However, nearly all of his students get 5s on the AP exam. No one has ever scored lower than a 4. If I have a C in the class, but obtain a 5 on the exam, what will colleges think? Will colleges look at this outlying grade and immediately put me in the reject pile, or will they look at my exam score and realize that I really did learn the subject?
Let me know if any other information is needed to assess my situation.
Duke is my dream school! (legacy) I also really liked GW, wake forest, Emory, etc
For a top tier U, like Duke, both matter. In fact, all of your app does.
They’ll see the C and that you want a stem major. Unfortunately, the letter grade reflects week to week effort and understanding, while the test is one event. But don’t be discouraged, instead, do look for the right triage.
This is a 2 semester course, right? Can you bring this grade up? Can the GC mention you’re working hard to and have the goods? That’s just one conventional idea.
Btw, it’s not Composite alone. They’ll look at subscores. Work on those specifics, too.
And make sure you understand enough about what your targets do look for. (There’s a piece on Duke’s website. )
Agreeing largely with @lookingforward, but will also say that a C is a C. Even in the handful of super academic prep schools that are known for grade deflation, a C is problematic.
It is unlikely that there is not a single A in your class, and even more unlikely that there aren’t some Bs. As @lookingforward says you still have a semester to go: figure out what sort of support will help you get that C up to a B.
Your grade over a full year will matter much more than a 2-3 hour exam.
An admissions officer at a school on par with Duke told our information session that they don’t even look at AP test scores for admission - only for credit/placement after admission.
Another top school told us they look at them, but only as supporting data to the core transcript. So it may mitigate a grade a bit, but certainly won’t replace it.
A single C won’t put you in a reject pile - it’s one of 20+ grades on a transcript, which is only a part of your story (though a significant part). But an AP score certain won’t yield “don’t worry about the grade”.
(I’d be very careful before saying any top holistic does not look at AP scores. AP scores are data points and can support a good app (as you also heard.) At the college I know best, it’s one of the first things in the running notes. But they can’t replace or supercede some other issue.)
Unfortunately, when an applicant wants a stem major (other thread,) there’s scrutiny of the stem related strengths. It’s hard enough to get past a B, when the competition is so fierce. Plus other institutional needs.
I suggested finding if there’s some usable “triage.” Because yes, “A C is a C.” (I believe kids should try, when it’s feasible, not just pie-in-the-sky dreaming, despite poor odds.) She’s active in ECs, but typical. The only math-sci activity is Bio Olympiad.
We also don’t know what he AP physics score is. Or the other AP scores. Maybe OP won’t get a 5 for AP AB. Add that the ACT. so far, is a 30 Composite. But it’s the subscores that matter more. For stem, math and sci.
OP’s a junior now. She’d benefit from looking at the Duke website in depth, find that article that speaks of what they look for. And other hints about traits. Then realistically assess whether she can meet those wants- how to show it. And look at the Common App which asks for other schools atteded (another ques on the other thread.) Duke’s supp questions, too, to try to guage why they ask what they ask.
As a junior, she has a choice, whether or not to pump up the effort (and savvy) in the ways tippy tops like Duke want to find.
Now’s the time to do that. Actively.
To anyone reading this tonight, apologies for editing several times.
In terms of this question, do your best to earn an A and a 5.