<p>Hi all! I have applied ED to Brown and am really really hoping to get in! However, my first quarter grades are really poor. I am taking 5 APs this year and a science elective (one of the most rigorous course loads anyone in my school is taking). The APs are Euro, AB Calc, Lit, Bio and French, as well as a regular anatomy class. I am also the captain of my cross country team, and commited to many other ECs. I have 4 B’s (two are really low) and 2 A’s. How bad is this? I wanted to challenge myself but now I’m worried it’s going to affect my chances of getting in. Keep in mind that in past years, I would get one B/year at most, usually in a math class. please give me your feedback on this!
Thanks so much :)</p>
<p>It’ll hurt your chances. To what extent? No one can predict this in detiail.</p>
<p>i’m pretty sure Brown doesn’t look at first quarter grades…</p>
<p>^ I was assuming the relatively poor quarter grades would translate similarly to semester grades.</p>
<p>Edit: … which makes no sense, given the applicant is applying ED. Disregard.</p>
<p>Brown does look at first quarter grades.</p>
<p>are you sure? I asked a Brown admissions officer and they don’t request them for ED applicants…first quarter grades don’t appear on transcripts (at least for my school)</p>
<p>Unless things have changed, ED applicants had to send in a mid-semester/first quarter transcript two years ago.</p>
<p>I definitely think first quarter grades count. I also remember that students had to send them in the past. In fact, schools (at least last year and further back) didn’t regard the application as being complete until those grades were sent. It would seem to me that senior grades are among the most important, as that is who you are now. (Hi, fire! 
)</p>
<p>^Senior grades as in first semester or both semesters?</p>
<p>Not sure about what the Brown admissions person told you (if they did say that, then I’m also I guess not sure why you are asking here in the first place), but as a rule, senior year first semester grades matter immensely to top schools. Think about it: It isthe first real inidcation they can get of how you may perform in courses containing colege content.</p>
<p>Slipping second semester grades (after being admitted) have a less catastrophic effect unless it’s really bad.</p>
<p>By word of mouth I heard that Brown focuses on grades up until the end of your Junior year in HS. Your senior grades are for school reports to basically show them you’re not slacking off.
AP classes are tough. They get that. Try your best</p>
<p>i’m in a similar situation
i’m getting a’s in my other four ap classes…which are in the humanities
but i’m getting a b- in bc calc because i’m not too awesome at math
xD</p>
<p>I dont think quarter grades matters unless you are doing a block schedule. if you are doing regular schedule, ie. midterm in dec/january, then your quarter grades wont even appear on your transcript. just do well during second quarter and that should get you an decent semester grade (which WILL go on your transcript)
when colleges talk about “mid-year report” they mean your first semester report because quarter grades are just for you to know where you stand. i have gotten C during first quarter and was able to pull off an A for the semester. so good luck!!!</p>
<p>Yes to all of this, except the OP was asking about ED. First quarter grades are the last grades ED schools can look at; by the time the semester grades are in, they have already made their decisions. So, first quarter grades are important for ED candidates.</p>
<p>Can anyone clarify for the block schedule:</p>
<p>First semester grades = August - December, right?
Quarter grades = August - October?</p>
<p>Sorry to hear your first quarter grades are not what you wanted them to be. Please do not kid yourself, this absolutely matters in admissions. Your course load is intense but so are the course loads of many other applicants. Colleges are look for signs of “senioritus” and they may misinterpret your grades as being just that. Best of luck to you…</p>
<p>Well, i don’t know about you, but at our school first quarter grades don’t appear on transcript, they are basically just a progress report. The midyear report is for first semester grades, which won’t really matter since you’ll already know whether you’ve been accepted or denied from Brown.</p>
<p>Check with your school. My school has semester grades on transcript. SEP-Dec31 and Jan2-end.Quarterly grades are not official, just for students info to give you an idea of where you are. However, senior year they send in everyone’s 1st quarter grades if you are ED, so the schools can see where you are. If you are doing well, and carrying an intense load, it can help, if not…
Check on your school’s policy.</p>