<p>I'm a junior at one of the top 50 high schools in the country and am planning on applying to Columbia as my reach school and NYU, USC, UCLA, and am still deciding on what other schools I want to apply to. I have a 3.8 unweighted GPA but I might possibly end up with a C in my second semester of AP Calculus AB. I have never had a C in my life and certainly not in high school. By the time I apply I'll have taken 9 AP classes with A's in all of them except a B in Calc first semester and possibly a C second semester, as well as Honors for all of my non-AP core classes. I know that the college admissions process is very complex and that it is not solely focused on grades but lets say I would have gotten into Columbia or any of the other schools I listed above with a B in my second semester of Calculus. Would a C make a difference? To me a C seems outrageously bad and is only a small step above failing but am I overreacting and should I have anything to worry about?</p>
<p>Doomed is a pretty strong word. Even if you miss out on some of these colleges, your life is not over.</p>
<p>A C is not just above failing, but it might be a grade that will not make the cutoff for some schools. </p>
<p>Take a deep breath and talk to your school guidance counselor, who can provide some perspective. You are going to do just fine!</p>
<p>I know it’s not the end of the world but I would hate for one grade to take me out of the running for certain schools…but thank you for reply. Turns out I have nothing to worry about and I can still get a B according to my teacher.</p>