Now that I am almost done with the first semester of my junior year, I am fairly certain I will be getting a B in my AP Language and Compoaition class. Although this is a weighted class, this is not my first B (I got one last year in Geometry) and I might want to major/minor in something related to English (I have always been iterested in writing & politics, so maybe political opinion writing? Anyway, I am just so stressed and depressed about this grade. I know that grades do not define you to colleges and in reality, but it’s hard having one junior year aka the most important year. Does anyone have any advice or anything really?
Try to overshadow your ‘B’ with the help of amazing standardized tests scores and ECs. Even unis know that students are trying their best and are constantly improving i.e figuring their optimal method for studying. It’s okay, don’t stress too much over it
Okay I might be oversharing, but according to my ACT tutor I am in the running for a 31/32 on the ACT. Is this a good score based on your knowledge? Also on the side of ECs, I am working on getting at least one leadership position. (@kolatesla1856)
@thewhiteowl Try to improve your score to at least a 33 or a 34. Have a look at giving SAT Subject tests. 31/32 is a good score - but it depends upon what unis you will be applying for next year. My recommendation would be to give the ACT one time just to get a feel of it - and accordingly prepare for the next time to get an amazing score. All the best!
You are allowed to have some “b” grades. Don’t stress and don’t you have like the rest of the year to improve the grade? Also as stated, try your best to get in the 33/34 range if you can. That’s sorta the sweet spot for a lot of schools. Join and do things you like but for 2-3 years. Don’t do things you think the colleges want to see. Also the essays are real and a lot of college want great ones
Yeah I hate to break it to y’all but a 33/34 sounds nearly impossible for me. I am praying for a 32, so I am still hoping for that. FYI the super reach schools I am currently looking at are Tufts, Cornell, and Northeastern.
AP Lang is one of the toughest AP classes at my son’s school. Only 1 or 2 students a year get an A and they consistently have students go to top schools. The writing and analysis skills you’ll learn in this class with prepare you for writing at the college level and beyond, which will more than outweigh any dip in GPA from a B in your junior year of HS.
Don’t stress about a single B (or 2). But, see if you can get an A next semester (make sure to meet with your teacher). Re, your test scores, look at the common data set for the schools you are interested in (just google the school name and common data set). You will see the score ranges. Unless you have some amazing EC that makes up for a lower score, you want to be in the 75% (which you would not be for any of those schools, though Northeastern would be your best shot of those).
My advice…Do the best you can in all of your classes. Don’t stress over any one B. When you look at colleges honestly asses your academic record (including GPA, course rigor, standardized tests) and find reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (run net price calculator) and that you would be excited to attend. There are so many amazing colleges out there where you can get a fantastic education, have a great 4 year expereince and get where you want to go in life.
Hi guys! Thanks for the advice! I just got the B and I’m still pretty bummed. I was literally in tears with my first last year so this is like ice on the wound. I will definitely put more effort into next semester. Also, I just want to restate that the schools I mentioned are REACH SCHOOLS, I can only hope to get into them (but I’m a legacy at one). Hopefully if I take enough APs next year I can reach an overall of 4.26~4.3 (oh yeah also would I want to round that up?). Anyways, I still wish I wasn’t in this predicament but I can’t really change anything at this point. So much for my chances at Tufts :/.