<p>How much does a downward slope matter in math to the Ivies? I'm the only one in my class taking the most rigorous coursework (AP Calc BC as a junior). The lowest I got was a B-, but I was an A/A- math student before I took the class. My teacher has only been teaching it for three years. This is the only subject I have a downward trend in, and I'm really worried. I will be a music major, so I'm hoping they will put less emphasis on math. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>No one here can answer that. For one thing, all the Ivies are different. In general, however, most colleges will like that you pushed yourself with a hard class and forgive a somewhat lower grade. Not all will. </p>
<p>A B in one class does not equal a downward trend.</p>
<p>If you are interested, and talented, in music I do not understand the drive to get into an “Ivy.” You may be better served by a music school. I have a friend who got into the University of Michigan School of Music with a B average and a crackling audition.</p>
<p>^ excellent point. I don’t think the best music programs are hosted at any Ivy. </p>
<p>Julliard, Curtis, Rochester, Oberlin…lots of options. Your larger concern might be looking at conservatories vs being a music major at a LAC or university. </p>
<p>^ conservatories are primarily for performance majors, not one who wants to study theory in depth. I have consulted my mother who is a performance major (and my teacher) about what colleges I want to apply to. I have my reasons for applying to Ivies and other top schools, and not conservatories. Also, I am not applying to all the Ivies- I just wanted to give the commenters a sense of the level of schools I’m talking about. Anyways, the point of my question is whether or not the downward slope in math will matter. It is a downward slope because I have gotten As/A- as freshman and sophomore, but all Bs as a junior. </p>
<p>No a B does not at all shut you out of selective Universities. But realize that piano is probably an over represented EC at many selective schools and unless you are a prodigy that won’t help you stand out. Best of luck.</p>
<p>It’s not one B though, it’s 3, one for each trimester. How much of an impact does the downward slope have?</p>
<p>Your HS transcript will only have one yearlong grade for each course. Colleges will not see your trimesters. You have one B and it does not matter.</p>
<p>^ that is certainly not true for my high school. It shows every class, and every individual trimester grade. </p>
<p>Call your HS. They send YOU a detailed one at the end of the year, but I have never known of a HS that sends that detailed of a transcript to colleges. It is one grade per course. Even if all trimesters were shown, the adcoms would only care about the final grade.</p>
<p>@snarlatron How can they only see a yearlong grade when our grades are reset every semester/trimester?</p>
<p>^^Talk to your HS guidance counselor and ask to see an example of the transcript sent to colleges. Most high schools send a transcript which only includes the final grade for the year (and the grades for individual marking periods are not included)</p>
<p>This is a fake sample HS transcript that shows what is sent to colleges, regardless of what is sent home to you:
<a href=“http://skydoc.wa-k12.net/robo/projects/wsipcpacguide_webhelp%20pro/TranscriptSample12-07.jpg”>http://skydoc.wa-k12.net/robo/projects/wsipcpacguide_webhelp%20pro/TranscriptSample12-07.jpg</a></p>
<p>I am 110% positive that my hs’ transcript shows all grades, classes, for each trimester. There is no such thing as a “final grade” in the class for the entire year, anyways. To focus on my original question, how much of an impact will the trend have on me?</p>
<p>@pianogreek It won’t make too much of a difference, as in it won’t make or break your application.</p>
<p>Really quick; say that my school DOES only send final grades. Does that mean only my final semester two grades of each year would be counted? And if so, are all my previous grades pretty much eliminated? Would my GPA be altered? ._. How confusing.</p>
<p>
Which shows grades by semester.</p>
<p>It all depends on your school, I would contact your GC ASAP about it. But, I’m sure not only your semester 2 grades will be submitted, if that is indeed the case. They should probably somehow average the two (sem 1 and 2) grades together to come up with a final grade for the entire course. I would check on your online grade book (PowerSchool, Progress Book, etc) to see if there is a “final course grade”. However, if you are not familiar with anything I am talking about, you most likely don’t have a final course grade. </p>