<p>If you go to a high school where both first and second semester grades are on the transcript, with no cumulative grade at the end, do adcoms overlook lower performance first semester? Even the toughest audience like HYP - would they overlook, say, a couple of C's in the first semester column if the grades went up to high B's or A's second semester? Do any schools take transcripts like this and calculate their admissions GPA based only on the second semester grades? If so, what are those schools?</p>
<p>Your grades are not do-or-die at "HYP"</p>
<p>But if the question is C's, then unless you are recruited for a sport or a building on campus has your last name, you won't get in. Ivys have 20,000 people applying for just 2000 spots. Probably 15,000 of the kids have all A's. The ones who do not are exceptional in another capacity.</p>
<p>I'd imagine schools take whatever GPA your high school reports to them.</p>
<p>As someone who survived high school and college admissions, do not overly worry about grades. Do your best in school and learn as much as you can, then good grades will naturally follow. You will get into a good college, even if it doesn't have 10 applicants for every spot available. Ask yourself why you even aspire for "HYP"?</p>
<p>It's pretty unusual to see anyone with a couple of Cs and a couple of Bs at very top colleges. And both terms count equally.</p>
<p>Thank you for the honest replies. Ouch, but thank you. :-)</p>
<p>Maybe it's a little "sour grapes", but I haven't found that 4.0 folks are necessarily the most inventive and productive over the long haul. I guess I need to think that?</p>