So, my whole life I’ve been a really hard worker and I’m a very good student, but I’m starting to wonder if the colleges I want to go to are out of my reach. However, I faced rough challenges at home for the past year and a half which has affected my grades. For the most part I did ok, especially since I took all honors and AP courses, but I got a C+ in English as my final grade instead of the usual A or B+ I normally get. In addition to normally having good grades, I’m on Varsity sports teams (captain of one of them), an Officer on my school’s math team (also Captain position), I volunteer at a couple different places, and I work somewhere in the summer (a troubled kids camp). I’m aware that colleges will see this and the struggles I had in my personal life that year, but I’m still wondering if the one C+ in English will ruin my chances of getting into a certain college. I also got a 1320 on my SAT. I’m exactly sure if my GPA, but I think it’s a 3.8 or 3.9.
I have some fall back colleges in mind but the reach schools are my problem. The ones I’m worried about are Northeastern University, Dartmouth College, Tufts University, and Boston College. I feel more comfortable about RPI, WPI, and Providence College. Other schools I’m not too concerned about.
Anyone know if there’s anything I can do to make this better? I just finished my junior year.
You’re most likely fine for Northeastern but I can’t speak for the other schools. I have a friend going to Boston College with stats and ECs pretty close to yours so I’d think you’d be okay there too. If you have time, perhaps consider retaking the SAT because it is low for the schools you’re worried about but really, you need to understand that College Confidential suffers from being a sort of echo chamber because only the high achievers would seek out a college forum. Hence all the high scores and extraordinary ECs that you read here.
If you can properly articulate to the college perhaps in the special circumstances section of the common app why you scored an outlier grade in English, you’ll be okay.
That’s good to hear, I’m just stressed because as you suggested, “only the high achievers would seek out a college forum,” and I am one of those high achievers. I’m already planning on retaking the SAT in August. Thank you!
Hey don’t worry AT ALL! I can totally understand your worries about that C+, considering that I was in the same boat junior year. I received a C+ in my most challenging class for me (AP US History) and this was in junior year. I ended up being accepted and will attend Tufts this year as class of 2021. Tufts really appreciates and looks for students with outstanding essays, extracurriculars, and personable qualities, so if anything make sure to shine on those essays! Your GPA is definitely within range of all those schools you are worried about, and if possible, try to take the SAT once more and potentially raise that score to a 1400. Above all, just try to relax. I know it’s easy for me to say, but trust me I was all agdhsjskalalak about that one C+ as well. Colleges understand that you are human and want to see that you aren’t some robot. If you need any help/ a pair of eyes to read your essays, feel free to personally message me! Best of luck!
