<p>I received a C in AP Physics first semester senior year, the first time my semester grades have strayed from straight A's. </p>
<p>I am applying mostly to good liberal Arts schools, like Williams, William & Mary, and Amherst. I am also applying to Dartmouth, Brown, University of Washington, and 3 UCs: UC Berkeley, UCLA and UCSD.</p>
<p>I have pretty solid ECs--been told that I'm 'interesting' by my hardworking, like-minded friends. Lots of community service (of course), girls' state, UN forum, brought free trade products to my school, founded/led the Amnesty international chapter at my school, wrote for the newspaper, 4 years varsity water polo, school concert band 4 years + marching band, tutoring, service trip to Nicaragua.</p>
<p>What sort of impact will this grade have on my chances for RD admission? </p>
<p>(Will it destroy me from within or will it be nothing more than an unsightly bump on my App?)</p>
<p>Thank you for your feedback!</p>
<p>Senior year grades are very important to admissions at all these schools, so this won’t help you. But, one C isn’t necessarily a kiss of death. If everything else is in order, you still have a shot at your reaches.</p>
<p>Thank you for your affirming response! “Kiss of death” was definitely my fear, so thanks for giving me a little hope.</p>
<p>Also: can’t help noticing that you just joined this month. Congrats. :)</p>
<p>I finally started posting this year, but I’ve been lurking for a long time already.</p>
<p>No effect at the UCs. They don’t request mid-year grade reports so they won’t know about it when they make their decisions. After you graduate you send in final transcripts, but the requirement to avoid being rescinded is no grade below a C and a B average GPA senior year (weighted or unweighted depends on campus).</p>
<p>That said, I hope you’re a CA resident and just applying to the UCs for that reason. The educational experience at them will be nothing like the other schools you listed.</p>