Downward trend in Junior Year Grades

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everyone! This is my first post on college confidential, by the way :D</p>

<p>I have had some pretty good grades for most of high school career, but I started to see a downward trend in grades at the conclusion of Junior year. I got all A's during fresh & soph years with the hardest courseload available to me at the time (which wasn't too hard in terms of AP's and whatnot), but here's the rundown on Jr year-</p>

<p>1st Sem:</p>

<p>AP English: A
APUSH: A-
AP Statistics: A</p>

<p>Dual enrollment classes with gifted program (weighted like AP classes)
Programming & Physics: B
Calculus I: A
Research Methods: A</p>

<p>2nd Sem:</p>

<p>AP English: A
APUSH: A
AP Statistics: A-
Programming & Physics: B
Calc II: B
Research Methods: A</p>

<hr>

<p>I am thinking of applying to UVA, Vanderbilt, Stanford, USC, William and Mary and others, but those are my main ones. I know that these are really competitive but I've been told that Junior year is the most important and I kind of dropped during this time! Solely grade wise, how much of a turn-off is this? Thanks!</p>

<p>P.S. - I am quite aware that essays, recommendations and test scores are also major factors, but I'm just concerned about the grades right now. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Typically, those grades will be averaged on your transcript.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t call your grades a downward trend, just evidence that the coursework became more challenging as the year went on, which is to be expected. I was at a visit to William and Mary just yesterday and the admin rep said they want to see A’s and B’s in rigorous coursework and that they primarily compare your grades and GPA to your classmates.</p>

4

<p>That’s not really a downward trend considering what you’re taking, and colleges do consider that. In fact, I’d say that if you have all A’s your first two years and are still getting all As your junior year, there better be some pretty tough classes on your transcript or it will look like you aren’t challenging yourself. Clearly you are, so you’re fine, but I think it also shows you’re about at your limit and you really don’t need to ramp it up any further.</p>