Change in Grade Reporting System: How will this affect me?

Applying to College
1

<p>Recently, our school changed how grades are reported to colleges. We used to send out grades just by letters (i.e. A, B, C's) but due to much parental complaint, decided to send out percent grades starting next year. </p>

<p>The grading scale we use is as follows:
A: 94-100
B: 84-93
C: 74-83
D: 64-73
F: 63 or below</p>

<p>(No plus or minuses)</p>

<p>Well, the trouble is I have had much difficulty trying to make a 94%. Many of my grades are either 92 or 93%. Many teachers don't curve and so getting just two wrong in a 30 point quiz is automatically a B.</p>

<p>I'm worried that when colleges recalculate my GPA, my 92's will just be lost as "B's." Some people say as long as I get 90+, my grades will be considered "superior." My GC said what matters is how high my B's are. Still, I'm worried.</p>

2

<p>I thought this post was getting long so I figured I would post my transcript on a diff. post</p>

<p>HS: Very competitive private.
Send many grads to top schools.
Rank: top 20% (class size 85)
Grades: </p>

<p>9th
World History...........92 95
Physical Ed...............92 94
Biology I...................89 89
Ceramics & Crafts....90 90
Gen Lit.....................94 96
Precalculus...............96 92
Journalism I..............94 92
Communications.......92 94</p>

<p>10th
Biology II..................96 91*
U.S. History..............97 92
2-D Drawing.............89 89
U.S. Lit.....................91 91
Statistics..................96 94
Physical Ed...............95 95
Calculus...................99 96
Chemistry................95 95</p>

<p>*Teacher lost quiz. Had he not, I would have a 94.
Should I explain in Additional Info.?</p>

<p>11th
AP Chemistry...........95
AP Euro Hist.............92
Gov/Econ................97
Writing.....................93
Physics....................92
Eng. Lit....................88
AP Statistics.............95
AP Calculus AB.........98</p>

3

<p>I think if anything, switching to percent grades would help you. I mean, for most of your courses you're either have, based on the letter system, an "A" or a borderline "B" to "A", but (correct me if I'm wrong), there was no way to tell where in the "B" range you fell (did you get 84, or 93?) With percents, they can see that nearly all your grades are above 90%</p>

<p>Now I don't know whether colleges will "reconvert" your grades back to letters and calculate your GPA that way, or whether they'll just look at the percent average, but either way, the change shouldn't hurt you.</p>

4

<p>The B's are close to A's, but will nontheless be B's. The new reporting system will help you. By how much, I do not know. </p>

<p>As for the additional information section, I am not too sure. This may or may not come across as complaining/whining/making an excuse. If you are to do it, be diplomatic. But again, I would ask for a second opinion.</p>

5

<p>I don't know how the change will affect you. If anyone explains things, your GC is the person to do so.</p>

6

<p>129 views and only 3 replies? :(</p>

<p>Please, this is important to me..</p>

7

<p>You aren't getting replies because no one knows the answer. You need to talk to your guidance counselor not uninformed strangers.</p>