<p>Hi there!! I am an ED2 applicant to NYU CAS, and I was wondering if senior year grades, once submitted, have a great effect on the admissions decision. I have submitted all of the materials and I think that I am within range with all my objective and subjective credentials. However, this year I have taken all AP classes and despite having worked very hard, I have come out first semester with all B's and one D in AP Physics C-Mech. I really hate physics and have no intentions of pursuing the sciences in college. I have worked with the teacher daily and it is not like I slacked off, it is just that between the way she taught and my apparent inability to comprehend physics, I ended up doing very poorly. I am working hard to see if that D can be bumped to a C, and I will be transferring down to Honors Physics for the next semester where I am expecting a high B or low A (the teacher is much easier). However, I know that my NYU decision comes out in mid february. I have done relatively well in high school, never have I gotten a grade like this. I am worried that it will ruin my chances.</p>
<p>Now, I know that it will obviously hurt me, but could anyone provide input as to how they will look at a bad grade and how I should deal with it (letter from teacher, etc...)</p>
<p>Your grades aren’t looking too good and senior grades are very important in the college admissions process. However, the admissions board will look at you holistically. One letter grade, more than likely, won’t determine your fate. (I understand your pain, by the way. I hated physics honors and am very glad I did not attempt AP.) If you’ve done well in the past and the rest of your application is good, I wouldn’t worry. Sending a letter from the teacher, if it really talks about how hard you’ve worked, sounds like a good idea to me. Also, colleges do take into consideration that you have a very rigorous course-load this year and they like that. It means that you are challenging yourself and they want you to do the same while you are at their school. Besides, you don’t have to be perfect. If you’re really strong in one area they’ll overlook a weak area.</p>
<p>I had about a 3.1 UW / 3.6 W when I applied to NYU. </p>
<p>Fall Semester 2006, my senior year, I got an unexpected ‘D’ in AP Calculus.</p>
<p>They did not look kindly on it. I tried to withhold the school finding out until they accepted me, but obviously, they needed to see my Fall grades. USC flat out told me there was no way I could get in with that D. NYU, because they put more emphasis on portfolios (I was applying to Screenwriting in Tisch), said they would need an explanation, from both me and preferably from my professor.</p>
<p>I couldn’t ask my professor because he was unreasonable, so I went above his head and asked the principal to write a letter of explanation. I didn’t know the principal very well but he was extremely helpful after I explained the situation. He wrote a letter to NYU on my behalf. </p>
<p>After NYU accepted me, I went into overdrive calling them to absolutely confirm that the ‘D’ was taken into account and that my admissions would not be revoked. They responded not by phone but by email, simply telling me that I was in ‘good academic standing to begin in the Fall’. So in conclusion, I think NYU is a little more lenient than other schools, but it really depends on how closely the ‘D’ in your class relates to your choice of major.</p>
<p>I’m actually wondering the same thing. I have a 3.5 UW/4.0W GPA and have maintained a full load of Honors and AP courses. I’m an A/B student and have consistently maintained mostly As with a large amount of ECs. My first marking period grades have remained pretty consistent with my previous ones, and this marking period I have actually gone up in all of my classes except AP Calc, which will most likely be pretty low (60-70). I got a B first marking. Am I screwed when it comes to admissions?</p>
<p>@ajliber curious since you’re an EDII applicant you don’t have to submit a mid-year report until after accept/reject you February 15, have you already submitted it?</p>
<p>As for others, from what I’ve seen it obviously won’t help you if NYU sees those grades, but nearly every college will tell you they take a holistic approach. Just keep in mind you really never know with college admissions, take a look at some of the “decision” threads for colleges around the forums and you will see you really can’t be sure about an admissions decision either way. </p>
<p>But what do I know, I’m just an hopeful EDII applicant…</p>
<p>WHAT!!! i didn’t know that i did not have to submit the mid year report until after an acceptance or rejection. Is this true??? Does this mean they will not see the bad grades until after notification? woah…i was completely unaware!!!</p>
<p>I will have a C+ (unless I can jack it up to a B-) on my report card (which would make my semester grade a B-/B), and my GC said that it isn’t a big deal! You have 3 years of other grades showing you’re a good student! One D will not kill your chances!</p>