i know one of the most important things when applying is grades–colleges usually look at these through class rank or percentage. But my school doesn’t give out rank or percentage (it wouldn’t be accurate) so the college has no way of seeing what my grades really mean. Do they still matter as much and would colleges then put more focus on my test scores and recomendations and other areas?
<p>They'll now the context of your school. In other words, if they now that your school is very difficult, they could understand lower grades than if, say, the average SAT score in your school is far below the national average.</p>
<p>Grades will still be the first thing a college will look at, though. Unless if they're one of those weird liberal arts colleges and look for individuality and spirit and all that other scary stuff. Just kidding.</p>
<p>So you're saying that a C at some schools could be excused as a B, or something like that? If so, what schools?</p>
<p>C's are almost never excused, though B's are.</p>
<p>Schools like public ones that are ranked very highly in the state (mine is #1 - woohoo). We have more than 95% of our students going on to four year colleges, our average SAT is above 1200, we're about 35-40% asian, we get to take a class at Princeton if we've exhausted all the courses our school has to offer in bio, chem, physics, math, music, computer science, or a foreign language. People who do that get in everywhere.</p>
<p>Basically, we only have a few (5 or less) people get straight A's, and they go either to Ivies, Ivy-level schools because they chose them, or they go for free rides. A bunch of people have only a few B's, and they go to the same level schools as those with 4.0's.</p>
<p>However, a C even at our school would never be perceived as more than a B when comparing to other schools, so they aren't pardoned.</p>
<p>Tough private school/toughest classes... 3.62 UW /SAT I 2110 (2nd try in Oct). Junior AP Scores Calc AB: 5, Physics C (Mechanics): 4. D burnt out at end of tough Junior year and couldn't turn 2 B+'s into A's. Long story short...how far can she go with these grades? Good EC's (Violinist/orchestra, 350 hrs community service, leadership). How can she get out from under this GPA?</p>
<p>"do grades matter?"</p>
<p>ya think?</p>