<p>Hi! I'm currently a 9th grader and I'm in English honors and Geometry honors, the only two honors classes offered in my school for freshmen. I have As both semesters in English (so far), but I recently received a bad grade on my benchmark essay. The benchmark essay is a deciding factor in whether you'll make it into honors of not, and I don't think I'm qualified anymore for next year's honors English. Will this look really bad on my college application? I'm aiming to go to a UC school.</p>
<p>Ahhh, maybe. UC tends to rely on the student satisfying a course, they do this especially in Mathematics and Foreign Language. For example, if an individual were to recieve D’s and C’s in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry (cumulative, they check semesters too but cumulative is way more important) and then they take Pre Calculus and recieving an overall A, they (the previous courses) would actually be satisfied, but it would still go into their GPA.</p>
<p>So from getting that, if you take AP English Language or AP English Literature(preferably, if not just a higher and more difficult course) and expose that rigor and preferably a better grade than 10th grade Regular English before you turn in your application, you should be fine. This is known as an upward trend, many individuals achieve this, and it will impress colleges greatly, especially UCs in your case. UCs also tend to look a lot more in the essay and your holistic side - you should be fine. One regular class should not hurt you, especially if you make it up later. </p>