<p>Hey forum,</p>
<p>Today, I got back a quiz which I totally bombed - a 70%. I have a 95% overall in Algebra 2, but this quiz will probably bring my grade down to an A-.</p>
<p>My dream colleges are the Ivy's.</p>
<p>So I'm wondering - what is the real difference between an A and an A-? Do the colleges even look at the letter grades, or do they just look at the GPA? How harmful will it be in my chances with a top-notch college?</p>
<p>I'm a freshman right now, by the way.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>I’m going to put aside your question for the moment to make a more important point. If your “dream colleges” are “the Ivy’s”, you haven’t a clue what college might be suitable for you. Each of these universities is different, academically, culturally, etc., so it’s not sensible to be pinning your hopes on “Ivy’s” as a group. And that’s fine, because you’re just a freshman, and you aren’t supposed to know that much about colleges yet. Over the next couple of years you’ll begin to figure out who you are and what you want out of life, and then you’ll be able to research colleges and make intelligent choices. Perhaps one or more Ivy League colleges will be a good fit for your qualifications, aspirations and personality; certainly many of the other excellent US colleges will suit you. In the meantime it’s pointless to be gnashing your teeth over an A- at this early stage of your high school career.</p>
<p>This is a really sad example of what our education system has become. Students are forced to whore for grades and that is all they focus on in school. You’re barely even in high school, enjoy the next few years and realize there are more than eight colleges in the world that will offer you an education where you can become successful.</p>
<p>To actually answer your question-
ask your counselor. I believe it depends on your school.
At mine, an A- will show up differently than an A.</p>
<p>OP, you might as well go to community college.
An A- in one class your freshman year completely destroys your chances of being accepted anywhere good. </p>
<p>Have fun flipping burgers.</p>
<p>I think the OP meant the A- story as a sort of stimulus to pondering the difference between grades. O.o</p>
<p>But anyway, the difference in freshman year between an A- and an A is almost non existent. Some colleges disregard freshman year entirely.</p>
<p>An A- rather than an A in an Algebra II is not going to hurt your chances at an ivy league school, or any other school. Just work hard and get good grades and stop worrying. </p>
<p>A better question, why are your dream schools the Ivies? Every Ivy League school is very different. Can you seriously be dreaming of going to any of these diverse schools but not any other great school in the US? Just something to think about.</p>
<p>“My dream colleges are the Ivy’s.”</p>
<p>You’re only a freshman, so I won’t penalize you for saying that.</p>
<p>You should check with your school. Some schools factor in the “-” and “+” for GPA calculations. In that case, an A- would be different from an A.</p>