Hey everyone. I hope your day is going better than mine. I was wondering that if I got a C- in my AP Calculus BC class am I significantly put behind in reaching to an ivy league level, even if I’m not in the top 10%?
(Btw, I’m not into the response of “there’s other colleges beside the Top 20.” Let’s be real, most people would prefer going to a Top 20 so please answer my question honestly and straightforward.)
I think it depends more on your overall gpa and what you are majoring in. A c will definitely put you behind should you want to pursue a major such as economics or engineering, but if you plan to have a history or english major, it will not do AS much damage (it will still affect you negatively trough).
So in a few sentences…I’m basically done and should probably pursue something else?
Not exactly, colleges take more than that into consideration. If you can manage to significantly improve your grade in that class, they probably will take that into account.
And if I can’t improve my grade? It’s a hard class.
Some schools really want a “C” or better to count the class. A “C-” is not a “C”.
There is never a singular item that will sink your ship, but I would really try hard to learn the stuff. If you can point to a 5 (or a 4) on the AP test, that would redeem you.
Do you really need to take calculus? Would you be better off cutting your losses by dropping it this semester? You could also take it dual enrollment at a community college. They generally cover a HS year-long course in 1 semester (I don’t know about Calc B/C), so that could redeem you.
My school offers both Calculus AB and BC. I’ve heard that AB is way easier than BC. Do you think I should drop BC and move to AB?
Rarely will a single grade ever affect your chances. It really depends on how the rest of your application fits together. As others have commented, if you have shown a pattern of high grades in the past, a single C will not kill you. However if you have always struggled and got a mix of Bs, then this C will be seen as not a big departure.
It also depends on how difficult of a school you are applying to.
@IvyStruck - Do you have all As in your other classes? Are you taking other AP classes? Doesn’t matter that it’s a ‘hard class’. Lots of Ivy League applicants get an A in that class. The best of the best get admitted to Ivy League schools, so you have to be the best of the best. If you can prove that with the rest of your transcript and test scores and ECs, etc., then you have a shot. ONE grade will likely not derail you, but with a C-, that really has to be the only slip. Got a handful of Bs or a non-stellar SAT score, and the Ivy League isn’t going to happen for you. Also, I would challenge your assertion that most people want to go to a top 20 college. Most college-bound students actually do NOT want to go to a top 20 college…most don’t have the ability to perform well at a top 20 college. Then, at least half of college students want the big college athletics and party atmosphere. I’d say that at most MAYBE 33% would like to be in a top 20 college.