<p>I think the title is self-explanatory! My cousin is curious as to whether or not there are any Brown students who have had anything below a B in their freshman/soph year - or if a C will hinder her too badly if she has improved to a perfect GPA in her junior year. Esp - if she had extenuating circumstances in her fresh/soph year?</p>
<p>Merci and gracias - many thanks ahead for the answers!</p>
<p>Certainly, students have been admitted with sub-B grades. Not very many, however.</p>
<p>Good question! I’ve actually lost count of how many people I’ve met who said they’ve received at least one C in high school–myself included. Although, there are many more people who haven’t. Admissions is hollistic, so she should still apply and see!</p>
<p>I was admitted this year with a C in Honors Algebra 2. I think I offset consistently poor math grades with my 800 math SAT. If you have something to offset it, I would be unconcerned.</p>
<p>Yep! Although most of my grades were As and Bs, I got a C in P.E. in my second semester of Junior year.
But then again, I don’t think a C in P.E. is as egregious as a C in, say, Math or something.</p>
<p>A letter of explanation by your counselor always helps, especially if there were extenuating circumstances. Sometimes, overcoming those circumstances may also make an excellent essay topic provided schoolwork isn’t mentioned (this they see as an “excuse” essay), but this part really depends on what the circumstances were. Another question I would ask is if she got one C, how many Bs did she get that year?</p>
<p>Similar situation as me. I had extenuating circumstances and I got in. I would concentrate on making a relationship w/ the counselor (so that she can not only write a great rec, but also explain the situation).</p>
<p>Another thought - depending on how compelling the rest of her app is, especially her personal story an admissions officer could either a) see it as a way to read one less app b) take a special interest in the case because it makes for an interesting committee argument - which could work to her benefit.</p>
<p>No, never in Brown’s almost 250 years of existence has there ever been a single person admitted with a grade below a B in any subject in High School.</p>
<p>If I received a C in an AP class sophomore year, how badly would that impact my chances? I was a complete slacker back then and the actual AP grade showed too. I ended up with a 3 for that AP. Please take into account that this isn’t PE or even Algebra 2, but rather an AP class (which is worse).</p>
<p>I don’t think an AP class is worse. In fact, it is a more challenging course. I got two Cs in AP classes, one in an honors math course, and consistent Cs in gym, and I am going to Brown. I also had numerous Bs. My grades were not particularly spectacular, and the letter Brown sends to admitted students stating why they accepted you even stated that. They look at the whole human being. There are so many more important things than a C. If your grades are your strongest point on your college transcript, I would say your chances are not spectacular, but if you have something that makes you different from everybody else, then STOP WORRYING! No one can tell you if you can get in or not. Just apply and you will find out. We can’t really help you.</p>