Hi, everyone. 8th grade applicant to 9th grade boarding here.
I currently take geometry at my local public high school, it’s the end of the first quarter, and my final grade looks to be a 88 (maybe 89-90 once extra credit questions are scored on the end of unit assessment). This is a remarkable contrast since I haven’t gotten below an A- in math all throughout middle school.
Of course, this grade is way below my expectations since it’s at a public high school, far from the rigor as schools like Andover & Choate, and might bring into question my preparedness for the advanced curriculum that they have to offer if I can only score an 89, and therefore sabotage my admissions chances. However, there are 2 factors that might offset it, but I want to know if so, and by how much.
First, I’m taking this at my high school because I’m the only one of my grade’s 228 students to skip a grade in math, and it’s simultaneously an accelerated/honors class at a school “far above the state average in key measures of college and career readiness” (GreatSchools), even if its not as rigorous as the BSs im applying to. Skipping a grade was a choice, and if I had chosen not to skip and taken Algebra 1 instead (which I got an A+ in last year, for the first trimester) my grade would not look like that. Would this knowledge offset the impact of the B+?
Secondly, I scored in the 96th percentile for the SSAT quantitative section. Seeing as how the SSAT is often used as a tool to assess preperaredness for their curriculum, would that also offset its impact?
I know that in the thick of applications, which is where you are now, it is natural to analyze every part of your application to try to consider your chances. However, in the big picture, will you be applying to these schools regardless? Have you put in your best effort in classes? These are rhetorical questions because I am pretty sure you will answer yes to both.
In my opinion that it is common knowledge that grading and rigor differ from school to school. At this point, it sounds like there’s nothing you can do to get that A. And, as @skieurope mentioned, your acceptance likely does not hinge on this grade and your future success at a rigorous school is not reflected in this grade.
I write this to you but also for all of the current applicants, try (I know it’s hard) not to sweat the small stuff and instead show the schools your strength of character. Let the schools know that you valued accelerating over an easy A, which shows them that you are not afraid of a challenge and that you are trying to better yourself. Don’t frame your responses like an excuse but rather as the choice that you made. Stand behind your choices.
Put everything you can into what you can improve or control, and be kind to yourself by acknowledging that you have put in your best.
Lastly, because I know that I like to hear about personal experiences when I read these posts, my daughter was in 8th grade taking Honors Algebra 2 at the local (also highly rated) high school, and she did get As in all of her math classes in 7th and 8th grade. She was not accepted to 7 schools she applied to.
All the best to you and all applicants this season.
PS Back in the day my son had a B in 8th grade Geometry (his only B ever! An 89 at his school was an a straight B! So stressful) and a 96% on the SSAT and he got into Choate, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Groton, and many other schools. None of those individual scores or grades were the reasons he got in. And he still doesn’t like Geometry. Try not to overthink anything. Some kids will have higher grades and harder coursework and won’t get in. When your applications are done, keep working on your coursework.
Everyone else is right but I would add a question:
Is there gradeflation at your school? What is the average grade for an average student at your school? Does your school have a lot of BS applicants, so would the schools know about the gradeflation if it exists?
Well, I’m taking the course at my local public high school. I don’t know the exact state of gradeflation, but what I do know is that the most common grade on the end of unit assessment was a D+ (which is what really dragged my grade down).
I was able to argue enough points back to get a 90 though, thank god…