<p>Ok so I have a bit of a problem, I scored a 99% on the SSAT but my grades in 6-8 haven't been that great. I mean my GPA has never gotten below a 3.6 but, almost every semester in each of the years I'v been in middle school i've gotten a C. I don't fail tests or anything, it's just that I'm kind of shy and don't speak up in class, and that affects my grade in a negative way. I'm wondering if this would ruin my chances of getting into a top BS. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It won’t ruin it in my opinion. If your a good writer try and convert those feelings into an essay if you can. If your not…then I would just see what happens. Matters what schools your applying to also.</p>
<p>Well, if you’re shy and don’t ever speak up in class, than maybe these schools aren’t right for you (I don’t mean that literally, but I’m just saying that you shouldn’t try to make yourself fit a school, you should try to find a school that fits you.)</p>
<p>Top BS’s are very competitive and you probably won’t be a happy, thriving individual if aren’t the type to passionately engaged in class.</p>
<p>Take this with a grain of salt, because I don’t know you well enough to truly judge your character, but I still think this is applicable in some universal sense.</p>
<p>Most boarding schools are looking for confident individuals. WOW! your school docks points for not talking. mine is the opposite. i talk tooooo much</p>
<p>A grade doesn’t mean anything, unless there is some sort of comparison that can be made… which is usually in the form of the SSAT, or peers who are also applying. I would think that it’s the teacher recommendation that matters more. </p>
<p>Some schools have harsher grading, others more lenient, that’s why the SSAT exists in the first place.</p>
<p>No, grades do mean a lot. Maybe not academics wise, but certainly work ethic wise.
To me, a 99th %ile SSAT and solid C’s mean you aren’t motivated and you have *****ty work ethic - not something an EASDCH wants to bring in!</p>
<p>No, your grades will not ruin your chances of getting into boarding school. Being discouraged and not applying certainly will.</p>
<p>As you already know, the application process is a comprehensive one. Through the interveiw and personal statements you have the opportunity to explan how being shy effects your grades. Schools are a place to learn and grow. They don’t expect all their students to be perfect. A person can learn to become more engaged classroom discussions. In fact, Exeter teaches this with it’s Harkness method and even has a required Junior studies course for new students to teach just that kind of skill, among others. </p>
<p>There are all types of kids at boarding schools, even shy ones. You may always be shy, but you can learn to overcome it in areas where in may be impacting you in a negative way.</p>
<p>Thanks Brighty</p>
<p>i’ve never heard of a school that grades you down if you don’t participate as much in class…i could understand if you had to participate to a degree but past that i’ve never hear of it. i’m going to be honest with you, getting a C almost every semester is definitely going to be detrimental towards your application even if you have a 99% ssat. A ‘C’ for any reason is going to stick out like a sore thumb. BUT thankfully you got a great score on you ssats and you hopefully have some great EC’s as well?</p>
<p>if u go to public school, getting straight A’s should be easy. it’s called grade inflation. if you are struggling in public school, that means that it’s going to be muchhhhhhhh harder for you at Exeter. you HAVE to be confident to go to exeter. the harkness method doesn’t help your case either. it puts a spotlight on the class, the very very very small class. sooner or later it’s going to be your turn to talk.</p>
<p>hotchkissjin-</p>
<p>I believe effort is 10% of an overall grade for any subject in Public Schools. Some private schools even have a separate report card sheet grading ones effort/participation in that class.</p>
<p>Ya my school does the separate thing…its really dumb though. Cuz every teacher takes effort into consideration for the final grade, even with the separate “effort” grades.</p>
<p>Why is that dumb? Effort is a major part of what you learn at school =D</p>
<p>yes i know, but 10%…is that really enough to get a C in the class?</p>
<p>well i doubt for public schools. in my private school, getting a 0 in participation but a 94~ish grade would result in a C.</p>
<p>STILL. as my teachers say… getting a 0 is ineffably harder than getting a 100</p>
<p>My school has one column for effort grades and one for achievement and they don’t get averaged in together or anything.</p>
<p>I think lack of participation or shyness in class can lead to other variables as well though, like presenting projects etc.</p>