First Quarter Grade Drops and Impact on ED Acceptance

Hello all -

WUSTL asks for first quarter grades, and I was confident about where that put me until I heard today that I was ending with a B- in math. As a result, these will be my first quarter grades sent to colleges:

AP Gov: A
AP Psych: A
Research Project Class: A
Earth Science (HN): A
Advanced Band: A
AP English Lang: A
Organic Chemistry (HN): A
*AP BC Calculus: B-

The reason I have such a low grade is because I missed 2 weeks of school and 2 math tests that were difficult to make up. Are my chances ruined? Should I send my admissions counselor a note about this, proving my sickness as an explanation? Will it seem like some weak excuse?

The reason I am so worried is because I also finished with a B- in a semester math class last year and I do not want the admissions to thinking I’m slacking off in math. I have 800 Math 2 SAT and an 800 SAT subscore, so I hope that reassures them a bit.

I posted earlier on CC, and my post is reiterated below for reference.

"
I am very eager to know what others think are my chances.

UW GPA: 3.75 ( I took 8 classes each year, and I got 2-3 types of Bs each year)
W GPA: 4.15
SAT: 1560 (800M, 760R)
Mixed Male (Middle Eastern and Black)
I got to one of the best High schools in America, frequently ranked #1

Major: Biology/Chemistry (Something Pre-Medicine)

Demonstrated interest in school: Went to college rep visit at my high school one time, went to a college rep visit in my area two times, I visited the campus 3 times, and I interviewed on campus. Additionally, I have had back and forth correspondence with two admission reps.

Subject Tests:
Math II, Chemistry - 800
Bio (E) - 780

APs:
Taken so far (All 5s): Bio, Chem, APUSH, AP Spanish Lang

Senior Courseload and first quarter grades (Which they look at):
AP Gov: A
AP Psych: A
Research Project Class: A
Earth Science (HN): A
Advanced Band: A
AP English Lang: A
Organic Chemistry (HN): A
AP BC Calculus: B

Extracurriculars:

  1. Ranked 1st in state and top 20 in nation for Debate. I am the captain at my school. I have finalled at numerous prestigious national tournaments. I have done this all 4 years
  1. I am flute section leader of the marching band. I have done this all four years. I have self taught myself many instruments and local orchestras play my compositions.
  2. I have shadowed surgeons at my local hospital. I have witnessed over 300 hours of live surgery and rounds.
  3. I interned at a research lab at a local university. We found a new bacterial strain with antibiotic abilities and have a pending patent.
  4. I have volunteered at my local hospital for 4 years.
  5. I have an executive position in a Nonprofit PAC entirely run by teens that advocated for higher voter turn out and increased civic engagement.
  6. I am president of a national nonprofit organization branch in my state that goes to local elementary schools to provide free science lessons and activities to underrespresented children.
  7. I am the founder and president of my schools music tutoring program that goes to a local middle school and gives free private lessons to underrepresented children on a weekly basis.
  8. I have attended the National Student Leadership Conference for Medicine, which was a career oriented program that lasted two weeks at a local university.
  9. I am the president of the book club.

Awards:

State Science Fair Winner
National Speech and Debate Association Academic All American Award
State Debate Champion
Superior Rank for all recital performances (flute/clarinet/piano)
Best smile superlative award

Essays: My CA is very deep and introspective. My supplement is very analytical and representative of my curiosity.

Recs:
Counselor: 8/10
English Teacher: 8/10
Chem Teacher: 9/10
Doctor I shadowed: 10/10

Self-evaluation: I think I have strong ECs and essays, but my grades are pretty mediocre. I go to an extremely difficult high school which is known to be tough, but I am unsure if this makes up for my grades.

A question: What are my chances? Are my grades a deal breaker? Advice?

Thanks!
"

I’d ask your GC to include a note about your absence when s/he sends the grade report.

@bluebayou Do you think it’s a big deal? dealbreaker? Or am I overreacting?

I agree to have your GC send in a note about your illness and absences. I think you are an overall strong applicant but obviously work on getting that grade back up.

Sry, dmat, I have no idea as I am not an AdCom, particularly for a person of color. The grade is in. You gave it your best shot, now just hope for the best. GL.

The B in Calculus isn’t going to be a dealbreaker one way or the other. You have As in your other classes and your weighted GPA is going to be high. I wouldn’t stress over things.