I have almost all As on my transcript except for an F in physical education. I’m a bit worried since this pulls down my gpa by quite a lot. Will this ruin my chances of getting into top 10ish schools?
Usually colleges will pull out non academic courses when they recalculate GPA so I think you’ll be ok.
Gym doesn’t even count in the GPA in my state (NY) as far as I know. I got D’s every semester and still had an average over 92, even with not doing great in math. With my kids, I told them to just pass, gym doesn’t count, you just need to get a D.
I believe the first year or two of PE counts toward your gpa here inTX. The bigger question is why did you receive an F and how does that F reflect in your character. Were there extenuating circumstances such as a health issue? Or was it something you just didn’t care for and struggled to rise to the challenge? These are the types of questions an F in PE leads me to consider. I would think college admissions advisors may have similar questions.
The fact that you are an international applicate already disadvantages you. Your goal is to develop reasons for them to accept you, not reasons to reject you. An F is certainly not a reason to accept you.
Yes, many will. However they still expect the applicant not to fail any courses, whether they are factored into the GPA or not. At the very least, colleges will wonder how is it even possible to fail gym?
You’re an international student, so getting admission to Ivies and other elite schools will be difficult. If I were an adcom, I’d wonder why you had any F’s. You seem to have high stats, so I’d worry that you only pursue things that interest you and don’t put much effort into requirements you find less interesting.
PE is a mandatory course at my school, but I can’t participate for medical reasons. I had my doctor write a note to my school, and basically now I have an agreement with the school that says I don’t have to participate, but I do have to watch the class (which I do). Normally I don’t get graded, but my gym teacher just told me that apparently for my final transcript they have to grade me because it’s a mandatory course. She said that she has to give me the lowest grade possible (since I haven’t participated in a single lesson all school year) but that she’ll write the reason for the low grade as well.
Talk to your guidance counselor/principal about this…You should not fail if you are medically excused.
Do you have a formal 504 plan? That would stipulate how physical ed is handled. Often students who cannot participate in regular activities, are required to write a research paper or do an oral presentation on a sport or health-related topic.
Absolutely talk to your guidance counselor and perhaps also the teacher about this. Assuming you went to class and observed you fulfilled your agreed upon requirement. You should not get a F with an approved medical excuse.
A big question to ask is if the class is mandatory and you have an F will that impact your HS graduation (with a fail the requirement would not be considered to be met)?
There should be something that can be put on your transcript (for example either a P/pass or ME/medical excuse) that could satisfy everyone. If you can’t get a satisfactory resolution, I would have your parents get involved and talk to your guidance counselor, the principal etc.
That said, if somehow the F stands I would be sure your guidance counselor explains the circumstance in his/her letter of recommendation to colleges and it should be fine.
If you have an F on your record for a required class, will you even be able to graduate from high school?
Unlikely, since the OP attends school in Denmark.
Valid concern.
In which case, this is an issue that you/your parents need to escalate up the school’s chain of command.