Great Test Scores, Not-so-great Grades?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am an excellent test-taker* but extremely lazy; I have a very difficult time getting motivated to study or do any homework.</p>

<p>This worked out fine for me in ninth and tenth grade because my courses were simple enough that no real effort was necessary, but now I can't just skate by easily.</p>

<p>Last semester (spring of junior year) I received my first ever B, as well as a C (the B was in introductory German at the local university and the C was in General Chem II at the university). I probably could have gotten A's in both classes if I had put in a modicum of effort, but, unfortunately I did not. I skipped all but two chemistry classes since attendance wasn't taken and crammed for the final the night before the exam, so I admit that was very stupid of me. </p>

<p>Now, after promising to work harder this semester, I'm in the same situation with General Physics I (a calc-based university class for STEM majors). I have a C in it now, but that's at risk because I failed the most recent test.</p>

<p>Sorry for being so long-winded, but my question is, will it still be possible for me to get into great colleges** with my mishaps? I wouldn't be worried if they were just B's, but now that I may get another C (possibly a D if I screw up the physics final), I'm very concerned that colleges won't want me.
I've heard that people with high test scores, but less-than-awesome grades are viewed very poorly by admissions officers. </p>

<p>*I have a 2230 SAT (800 CR, 730 W, 700 M) and 32 ACT</p>

<p>**The colleges I'm looking at are on the level of Chapel Hill, UVa, Davidson, Rice, etc.</p>

<p>Also, if it's helpful to know, even though I haven't done well at all in two science classes, I am good at math; I've gotten an A in all math classes and am taking Differential Equations next semester.</p>

2

<p>Stroll into your HS guidance office, and ask for a formal evaluation for ADD and for Executive Function disorders. If you are diagnosed with something along that line, you can get help mastering the specific skills that you need to manage your learning issues.</p>

3

<p>Oh for god’s sake. You have almost all A’s, a couple B’s and a C. That is a better GPA than a substantial majority of your classmates. Snap yourself out of it.</p>

<p>You need tutoring in physics and a chill pill.</p>

4

<p>No one knows if those colleges would accept you or not. I will say that from what I’ve heard, colleges tend to value a high GPA more than a high SAT (since it’s better to bet on a bad test taker that works hard than a good test taker that doesn’t), and a downward trend in grades looks pretty bad. Apply to whatever colleges you want (if you have the money/time), but keep your expectations realistic.</p>

<p>(Oh, also OP, are you actually me? I also have high scores with an 800 CR, skated by easily in 9th/10th grades because classes were easy, got my first C in chemistry junior year due to lack of effort, and am now getting a C (possibly a D) in senior year in an AP math class. Sorry for this digression, but I was just startled at how much our situations matched. Anyway, good luck to you.)</p>

5

<p>Not every student who doesn’t do the work has ADD or an Executive Function disorder. The OP admitted they were lazy.</p>

6

<p>Last year’s B and C are probably less of a concern for admissions than your GPA this fall (assuming you are applying RD everywhere). If your fall senior grades continue to demonstrate a flat or downward trend from prior years, that could present a problem at selective schools like the ones you mentioned and might result in wait-listing or worse. You need to buckle down and pull out the best grades you can this term.</p>

7

<p>Food for thought: if you struggle with college-level classes in a real college environment what does that say to colleges who’ll be deciding whether they think you can handle the work at their institution?</p>

8

<p>Unless there’s something really special on your application, you probably won’t get into Rice with those grades/scores but Chapel Hill, UVA, and Davidson are certainly in reach.</p>