I applied to UPenn ED and Chicago EA. However, my performance in the first quarter of the year was a little… hectic. I am taking 6 AP classes, and got 3 As, 1 A-, 1 B, and 1 C in them.
Though my performance overall was pretty good, I’m really worried about the C I got in AP Environmental Science. My early schools do not require me to send in first quarter grades, but if they ask to see them, will this grade tank my application? I can provide an explanation for the low grade but will that not be enough? I’m just worried because there’s a pretty big gap between my grades.
If they see them, yeah, it might hurt you. I’d talk to my counselor about this matter. Oh, and don’t try to “provide an explanation” unless you are experiencing some seriously and objectively extenuating circumstances. Best of luck!
I think a C is somewhat bad if they consider it, especially if you’re applying to schools with lots of 4,0 applicants. If there were circumstances, maybe get your counselor to explain instead of yourself so you don’t sound whiny.
@andyis Thanks! Hopefully I’ll be able to talk to my guidance counselor tomorrow about it. I just feel like a C grade warrants an explanation, especially because it’s a big gap between my other grades, but I guess we’ll see what I can do!
@jackrabbit14 My APES grade is mostly based on two tests every marking period (something I’m not used to anyway) and labs/homework barely count. I fell sick around both these test dates (no joke), had to retake them and did poorly, and because of these two bad instances, my grade became a C just because of two tests. (there’s also a lot of other stuff, like the teacher is pretty bad/confusing and her voice makes the entire class fall asleep and I literally can’t focus in her class, but I won’t mention those things because those sound like excuses).
Yeah, sorry to say, @shadyconcepts, but that explanation should not be shared with colleges. It’s run-of-the-mill stuff that everyone faces at some point. I do hope it doesn’t hurt you too much and that you bounce back in that class.
yep, first quarter grades matter a lot if you’re a competitive applicant. schools will usually ask for your first quarter grades without you knowing if they’re on the fence, so it’ll hurt you. Try to get it up though!
Thanks guys for all your responses. I do realize it will probably hurt me, but I am still trying to stay optimistic. I talked to my GC today and she said if my ED/EA schools request it (which they may not even, to be honest), we will deal with it then. She said she’s able to email the grades and utilize a “comments” section, so she can write up an explanation for me. Hopefully this will sound more legitimate than me emailing an admissions officer desperately trying to make up excuses!
My daughter’s school routinely sends first quarter grades out even if neither the applicant nor the school requests that. Seems pretty screwed up to me. Glad you’re not in that situation.
My guess is that if schools do ask, you get deferred rather than rejected and they wait to see your semester grades. So the short answer is work to make sure your semester grades are good and don’t spend time worrying about things you can’t change.
Hi! I’m in the same situation. My college counselor told me to wait it out since there’s not much you can do other than work hard on second quarter grades. I don’t really have any advice, just want to say good luck!
