Hi, I have a few days left of my sophomore year and will be starting junior year next year. This year I struggled with chemistry GREATLY. My school splits the year into four marking periods, and for the 2nd marking period, I failed with a 58. I have gotten a 67 for the first making period and a 72 for the third, still waiting back to hear about the fourth marking period but I do know I passed. With these grades, I have passed the class for the year BARELY. Not to make excuses, but I had a horrible Chem teacher, and by doing so bad in this class it prompted me to be tested and I found out I had severe add. things are looking up now that I’m on medication, but I fear the damage I’ve done is too severe to try and make up for. I plan on explaining myself in college essays and interviews, but I can’t help but worry this failing grade will really look horrible to colleges. Are my chances ruined? should I start looking at lesser schools? does one bad grade really affect and define my application?? pls help.
A few comments:
–There are tons of colleges and universities out there and when the time comes you will need to look for schools that match your overall academic profile (including GPA, course rigor, standardized tests etc.). In the meantime do your very best next year, study for standardized tests, and see how things play out. Prove to colleges that the one bad chemistry grade was out of the norm for you.
– Never try to blame a grade on a “bad teacher” in an application-- everyone has a subpar teacher now and again and it comes off like an excuse. I’m guessing some people did fine in the class.
– Talk to your guidance counselor about your diagnosis. When the time comes to apply to colleges ask your guidance counselor to include the information about your recently diagnosed ADHD in his/her recommendation – this can be especially helpful if your performance improves now that you are being treated. This information is much better if it comes from the guidance counselor as it will come off as an independently verified fact and not you making an excuse.
–With your diagnosis, you may want to work with your HS Office of Special Education and see if you might be eligible for any accommodations at school and in standardized tests (ex. extra time on exams).
Do not “explain away” the bad grade. Since you got that grade in just one class, it’s can’t be due to your ADD, and since you can’t ever blame things on a teacher, you’d come off as highlighting a reason not to admit you.
You passed. barely but you passed.
What’s your schedule like next year?
(don’t take AP chem obviously 
)
Make sure your GC knows about the severe ADD, as you will likely get accomodations and will need to start the process for test accomodations for the SAT and the ACT.
Agree with the above, but also be aware of an issue that could have a significant impact on your applying to colleges. I do not know what your final grade will be but if it is equivalent to a D or F then an issue you might have, because it is Chemistry, is whether you will be able to meet admissions requirements of many colleges. Many require, among other courses, two or three years of lab science courses with a grade of C or higher in them. If your low grade in Chemistry will result in your not having the required number of years of lab science, you could be rejected by many colleges simply for failure to meet high school course requirements for admission even if all your other grades are A’s.
- College essays are NOT for explaining your issues.
- Why do so many kids ask if they should look for lesser schools, without ever saying what the current list is? Lesser than what?
- The rest of your academic results? And what major? Shouldn't be stem unless something changes there.
You’ll be fine.
There’s great advice on this thread.
You’ll hopefully find a great school that fits you, that should be the goal and not just “greater/lesser” of others opinions, you’ll do well there. You don’t ever need to take chemistry again, and you’ll be better prepared to take on challenging courses.
Although I see @OhWhatsHerName’s point, I also can see @drusba’s. Is there another teacher who teaches Chem at your school? If so, you may want to retake the course next year. If you can take it again and do better, you will clearly show colleges that you’re motivated to improve and not afraid to address your weaknesses.
Your GC can explain that you were diagnosed with ADD during that year.
You need to figure out works for you…getting help from Tutors, Teacher help hours, watching videos on Khan Academy, study groups anytime you have issues with a class in the future.
Concentrate on classes that you will do well in.
Bounce back from the grade with excellent grades. That will do the talking for you. Make it a comback story. Most people understand that ability to dust off a failure and come back as one of the most valued qualities of a perison. Focus on the now and the later will come in due time. Don’t borrow worry from tomorrow and ruin your today.
When a GC notes a challenge like ADD, you want her or him to be able to enthusiastically add how well you’ve done despite, how you overcame, even triumphed. Think about that.
Otherwise, it’s only noting a challenge.