Hi! I’m currently in 9th grade, and today I received my first B+ for a semester grade in physical science. I earned an A- first semester, and an A third quarter, but my fourth quarter grade is also a B+, making my final semester grade a b+. My dream school is U of M, and I have received all A’s this year except for this one B this semester. Assuming I get all A’s in the future, are my chances of going to U of M completely ruined? I’ve always struggled a bit with physical science, but I tried incredibly hard and am completely devastated by this B. I may be overreacting, but are my chances of getting in still okay based on my current grades?
One B will not keep you out of even the most selective college.
Which U of M are we referring to?
Ann Arbor. Sorry for not clarifying that in the post!
I’m certain you can get into UMich with one, or even a few B’s. The average UWGPA is about right around 3.9.
Now, for Ross or the CoE, I wouldn’t get too many B’s. OTOH, the UWGPA for acceptance into LSA, Nursing, Kinesiology, etc. can be a bit lower. The lowest GPA that I can remember in the last UMich admissions cycle (Class of 2023), here on CC, was a 3.7, but for an in-state student.
FYI, the in-state acceptance rate is 41% versus the OOS rate at 19% for the Class of 2022. So, in-state UWGPA and test scores can be lower than OOS.
It’s great that the OP is already giving serious thought about where they might like to go to school in four years. You read a lot about people’s “DREAM” colleges at this site and all the problems that can come from having a “DREAM” college. In reality - there are a lot of great schools out there for the OP to discover! Keep an open mind to all the opportunities that are out there and enjoy the search! You have plenty of time.
Do not think 'Every point I get off of a homework or test is a point away from going to Harvard/U of M."
Think: “I need to do my best, and there will be a college that is right for me when I graduate.”
Do not think “If I don’t go to an Ivy League School/Top20/U of M, I am doomed forever.”
Think: “No matter where I go, I can bloom where I am planted. I can get involved and shine.”
Do not think: “My life is over…the kid in my math class is taking 20 APs and I am taking 5. I will never succeed.”
Think: “I need to challenge myself, but only to the point where I can still do well.”
Keep doing what your doing and you should be fine. Getting all “A” s is not the ticket to getting into any college. Take rigorous classes that challenge you and that you are interested in. Also do activities for 3-4 years that you really enjoy.
Do something in the summers. Doing nothing doesn’t look good on a college application. Baby sitting etc works out just fine for now. Also remember to have fun.
@bopper recommendations are so on target. Do that.
Yeah you’re perfectly fine with a B+ in high school. I’m an OOS, non-legacy rising sophomore in Ross now and I got in with 3.