<p>You would think that it would all be downhill at this point...well I guess it is, referring to my S's math grades.</p>
<p>Ok, so he was admitted to wonderful colleges despite his periodic lackluster grades in school. This meaning the occassional 'c' in an advanced class. (Grades are NOT what got him into the schools he was accepted to!) Then he earned a 'c' for the third marking period of his Stats class. Ok, I persisted to remind him that he needs to get this up for the fourth and final period.</p>
<p>We did all the college visits over the last couple months and my S selected a pretty well-regarded engineering university. He bought the t-shirt and wore it to school one day. His math teacher was amazed that he was accepted at this school. Well, let's just say that the relationship between the two of them was not stregthened by this. Since then he has received even lower marks on his papers.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for all of us, it seems to me that Stats is a little more subjective in grading than, say Calculus. Regardless of how much is subjective and how much is truly my S's lack of performance in this class, he's headed for his first D. The grades on many of the projects were just posted and there seems little that can be done in the next two weeks. </p>
<p>Does this affect his acceptance or aid? Should he sit as the teacher's doorstep each morning to see what he can do?</p>
<p>Transcripts at our school just show the fianl grade for the class. So if yours is the same and you only have to send a final transcript, they'll never know about the D in the 4th quarter.</p>
<p>Depending on the teacher they may average the 3rd and 4th quarter classes to get the final grade or the 4th quarter grade may just be a continuation of the 3rd quarter grade in which the final semester grade would be the 4th quarter grade. Depending on the university, some universities flat out rescind admission because of a D. </p>
<p>Your best bet is to call the university and find out their policy on this. </p>
<p>The D in the class may affect merit aid but won't affect any need based aid.</p>
<p>I recommend that he sit on that teacher's doorstep! Maybe the teacher will allow an extra credit project or something since your son is a senior. In the meantime, talk to the GC and/or principal about the problem. Don't wait until the final grades are in.</p>
<p>Of course, there's another issue: How will your son make it in an extremely rigorous engineering program? I think you'll need to have a heart-to-heart with him because he goes, so he knows that he cannot afford to slack off in college, not even for a week, if he is going to pursue engineering.</p>
<p>Are you my mother?
haha, its just uncanny you sound exactly like her describing me.</p>
<p>I wouldnt worry too much...its only one grade....as long as he keeps a C on the final transcript. Schools unaccept kids who have an across the board slump. If his grades in english/history/electives dropped to D's also, then I'd worry. And as for aid...usually if you've already recieved the aid package, not much is gonna change in terms aid if it's only one subject.</p>