Hi, so my grades dropped during term 2 in Junior Year in two subjects (Year 1 of IB) from a A to a B+
Term 01:
IB History HL: A+
IB English Literature HL: A
IB Biology HL: A
IB Chinese Ab Initio SL: A+
IB Psychology SL: A
IB Math SL: B
Term 02:
IB History HL: A+
IB English Literature HL: A
IB Biology HL: A+
IB Chinese Ab Initio SL: A
IB Psychology SL: B+
IB Math SL: B+
I really want to apply to some competitive schools such as UCLA
If I improve my grades during term 3 to all As do you think I can make it up for that drop in Term 2?
Thank you
I’m dying
Your question is beyond disingenuous, IMO. Your Chinese grade dropped from an A+ to an A. Your psych grade dropped to a B+ (the horror!!!). On the flip side, you bio and math grades went up.
If you get rejected from any college, it will not be because of your grades.
Should I ask my Psych teacher to write me a recommendation letter?
Thank you for answering I’m freeking out aaaaa
If s/he is the one who can write the best rec, then sure. Just don’t ask him/her to “explain” you grade drop.
As someone with a child in an IB program, I don’t think this is disingenuous at all. My daughter thinks she will get a B in French this semester, and is also freaking out about it. Thinks! @skieurope is much more knowledgeable about these things than I am, but I tell her that if that happens, one B on her record will not doom her–either way, she (like you) will still pass the threshold for her entire application to be reviewed, and then the decision will be made based on her recommendations, essays, interests, and activities.
Don’t stress–it’s counterproductive. Just try to do the best you can across the board.
Every admissions board knows that IB is the gold standard for rigor and that you will be fully prepared for college. The IB diploma goes a long, long way.
High school students aren’t robots; no one expects you to be. And no one is excellent at everything.
You’ll be fine, really and truly. Keep telling yourself that: you’ll be fine.
Your grades are great, don’t worry about them! As for a recommendation, get one from a teacher who knows you well and can write about not only your studiousness, but also about your creativity/curiosity/willingness to help other students understand material/etc. You want the letter of recommendation to humanize you and accentuate your skills and traits that wouldn’t be evident from your grades or essay.
Thank you very much for the replies. Taking all of it in account! 