<p>Hi,</p>
<p>At my school, you need high enough grades to qualify for APs and other electives. However, I got pretty bad grades in freshman and sophomore years so I'm unable to take many classes that I want to take. Plus, I got bad grades because I slacked off, not that I was dumb or something. Is there any way to let colleges know this?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>What, to let colleges know you slacked off your first two years of High School?</p>
<p>Well is it worth it for them to know that if it's going to give a reason for a less rigorous courseload?</p>
<p>worth a try but not likely to have any effect</p>
<p>This is called learning the hard way. Take the most advanced classes your school will allow and get A's. </p>
<p>Don't mention why you're not taking AP's on your app. In interviews, you could bring up that you've learned a lesson, that you wish you had worked harder early on so that you could be taking more advanced classes now. But the damage may already be done.</p>
<p>How bad were your 9th/10th grades? Will your high school let you try the AP's if you ask very nicely?</p>
<p>Well my average from 9th and 10th were probably around 83/100. 11th grade I decided that it just wasn't like me to get such grades so it went up to 93.</p>
<p>Everyone is allowed 1 AP, so I took APCS in 11th grade and got 98 and 99, and a 5 on the exam. I asked nicely and next year I can take Calc BC and Physics B. I'm still trying to get them to let me take physics C (long long story). So I will be taking a total of 3 APs in high school.</p>