I took Java programming L4 as an elective class at the beginning of junior year and did pretty horrible in (got 70 and 71 as two if the semester grades and I failed the midterm). I did not know that this course was honors and the teacher told that the class would be easier after you take another course (which btw, was said when this class was ending in 4 days). I was extremely lost throughout this class and the teacher wasn’t really that helpful and it felt like I was expected to know a lot; I understood basically nothing in that class and it felt like everyone in that class had prior experience with similar coding (which felt a bit unfair). I should mention that I only took this class b/c of pressure from my parents and I was extremely unhappy though it.
The big thing is that, it lowered my already subpar unweighted GPA (3.48) to a 3.44, which I have no idea how to make the situation better. The course is already done and we are in the second semester right now. Is there anyway I can fix this or have I forever sealed my fate ? and how much would this affect the chances of me getting into a good college?
Not to seem whiny, but, it honestly feels hopeless at this point b/c even if I tried my best, my GPA would (at best) go up to what I had before. So, any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
I’m surprised that a D didn’t bring your GPA down more. Anyhow, I’m assuming you’re about to end your junior year since you’re still talking about applying to colleges. A D is certainly a very unfavorable grade to have on a transcript, especially during junior year, and I would say that you’re most likely out of luck in applying to very selective schools, but if you are able to show an upward trend by the end of this year, you definitely stand a fighting chance at some very respectable mid-tier universities. End junior year on a high note and pick a rigorous but manageable senior schedule. Continue your extracurriculars and try to improve your standardized test scores even more (strong scores might compensate for your GPA to some extent). That’s basically all you can do at this point since your final grade for your programming course is already posted.
(Also, never listen to others around you who try to pressure you to take courses in which you are miserable again. I think it was a poor choice to stay in the class; you’re the only person who needs to perform tasks/be graded so others’ input should have very little bearing on whether or not continued on with the course.)
Unless you have a 34+ on the ACT, pretty much all of these schools are out of reach. You’re aiming way too high. Most of the kids applying to these schools have 3.7+ unweighted GPAs. To be honest, I find it quite unrealistic that ALL of these schools are dream schools. You also, from one of your other threads, have a 3.5 weighted GPA. That pretty much puts you out for these schools. What’s your SAT score?
I haven’t taken the SAT yet (I am going to take it May 5), but my PSAT score is 1250.
I am a bit less worried about this grade now, as I’ve talked with my guidance counselor and he said, while this class will affect your GPA and will look bad on your transcript, it is not as a big of a deal as you would think. He said that having an AP computer science class is slightly overshadowing this grade and that my GPA went down that drastically due to the fact this was the only grade that was put in (as it was the only class that has finished this year for me).
I doubt that my GPA would actually get better than my old one though :(.
I guess I should tone down my list by a lot then. I am just waiting for my SAT score and my GPA after junior year to guide me more accurately I guess. I guess I have overestimated my stats drastically!
edit: btw, what senior schedule do you think is better?
? and how much would this affect the chances of me getting into a good college?