<p>Hello,last summer(2010) as a rising Junior I attended the Harvard Summer School Program taking Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra. I was having some cardiac related side effects of ADD medicine and my attitude was "Hay! Why can't I motivate myself by myself!" Well, needless to say, I found out soon when I got two C's. Oh boy! Dang my underactive prefrontal cortex! I have sworn off the meds and have adjusted so I am able to perform just as well now. Anyways! I will attend the SSP this summer as a rising senior. I havn't yet registered for classes although deadlines pend. When applying to college there is an option to report grades from SSP. My friend went there for two consecutive years like me, forgot to report his grades, and got into Cornell ED. I have higher GPA, more and better extracurriculars, more community service, approximately equal SAT scores, more AP classes and better classes, but less confidence. I can either retake my classes and get A's. This would show that I am open with failure and that, as I will explain in an addendum or essay, dealing without ritilin was a challenge that I surmounted. It shows diligence and I am honestly really interested in these classes. I have still much to learn and at some point in my life I SHALL retake them. If I retake then i will definitly report grades to colleges because the whole point is the progression. I could also take new classes to show well roundedness and that I don't take $10k for granted as with the previous. I could take these new classes and report my grades or not report my grades. I would choose this option easily if math weren't my "thing" on the application, but it is one of the few areas in which I am unusually excellent. So this question has several components: how important are SSP grades?; are two C's worse than no reported grades?; should i retake? If anyone has been through this process and might have some insight I would LOVE it! really!</p>
<p>Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra? Ouch. Sounds like you set yourself up for C’s haha. No, but in all seriousness those are very difficult classes to take anywhere, let alone Harvard, as a rising junior, and with medication problems. </p>
<p>If you report your scores, definitely try to explain the grades in a supplement question if there’s an appropriate one. Regardless, I think adcoms will understand the intensity of these classes, and that you may not have been perfectly prepared.
I would take different classes if I were you, though.</p>