<p>I took a DE (Dual Enrollment) course this summer. I took two, actually: Multivariable Calculus and Introduction to Differential Equations. I got an A in Multivariable Calculus but I got a C in Introduction to Differential Equations. Now, of course, this is not good, but will it keep me out of top colleges? I had a 3.7 before these two courses (I don't know what my GPA is now with these two new courses tacked on my transcript...) and now I'm sure it has gone down (how much, though, I'm not sure). Will it look impressive at all that I challenged myself to take a class on Differential Equations or will the C make it seem as I'm someone who can't step up to a challenge? What if I write a small essay on how this class helped me understand my limits and better management of my time and skills? I plan on applying EA to MIT (>_<).</p>
<p>I wish I could help you. I’m doing the same thing this year and I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. I’d hope colleges wouldn’t act like they do when you get a lower grade in a hard AP class and would be a little more sympathetic.</p>
<p>Its not going to ruin your application, but it doesn’t look great either. I remember an MIT admissions officer once saying “People often ask if we’d rather see an A in a regular class or a B in a more challenging class. We’d rather see an A in the challenging class”.</p>
<p>At the same time, they realize that it can be hard to take a dual enrollment DiffEq class while in high school, and one of the things they are specifically looking for is people willing to take challenges (trust me, its very likely that you’ll wind up with another C at some point if you end up at MIT). So in that respect, its way better to try the DiffEq class than to just sit around and do nothing in boring high school classes.</p>
<p>Either way, its too late to do anything about it now. Good luck!</p>
<p>Do you think I should write some kind of note under the Additional Information explaining the C and what I have learned from it or just leave it as it is?</p>
<p>I think where you took the class is somewhat important. People seem to think a C from a community college is the same as a C from a legit university (or even an legit private).</p>
<p>Noobcake is right to some degree. If you got a C in a community college diffeq class, MIT might have concerns about your ability to handle their curriculum. But it’s not going to completely destroy your chances, and just being motivated enough to take college classes means you will probably get into very good schools. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. If you’re a senior, it means you took the class as a junior. And so your multi-variable calc shows that you’re in the top 0.5% of math students in the nation. Schools may see it and think you should retake DE when you get there, but you’re obviously using your resources to your highest potential. Which likely counts for more than an A/5 in Calc BC (which you probably already have anyways).</p>