<p>Hello everyone,
I'm a normally strong student (GPA 3.789) with mostly A's and never lower than a B (for the semester). However, for my first semester senior grades, I got a C+ in Calculus AB. My teacher/advisers gave me the options of:
1) listing it as a "Pass" so it doesn't tank my GPA but I've heard that for colleges, "P" basically means "D".
2) take the C+, and they suggest I write an accompanying letter to basically say "I'm really a good kid and hard worker so please overlook this" or something...which just sounds weak but I guess is better than schools thinking I just slacked off at the end</p>
<p>I've worked really hard, especially in Calc (I don't even know how I can improve in that class. really poured in everything) and as I'm trying to get in to top tier schools (Ivys, NYU, Williams, WashU), this was devastating. I have great extra curriculars, and was a QuestBridge Finalist, so even as a stretch, I thought I at least had a chance. </p>
<p>Any advice which option to take? would reallyreally appreciate it...</p>
<p>Continue. If you’re a strong enough applicant, a C shouldn’t be too much of a detriment to you. The last thing you should do is give up on the class and go for the pass.</p>
<p>Don’t do either? With your GPA and the schools you are aiming for, you already have a low chance. Take your C in stride.</p>
<p>well they also said if my grades improved third quarter, they could send that along too but im scared by then it’ll be too late.
And maybe I misunderstood, but if I took the Pass, I’d still take the class, just not for a grade…</p>
<p>They’re going to notice, and they’re going to wonder why you don’t have a grade for the class. Don’t try to hide it, that would be underhanded and cynical.</p>
<p>One C will not put your application in the “rejected pile.” Applications are viewed holistically. The C won’t help you, but it won’t be the killing blow for your profile. I wouldn’t recommend going the “pass” route- It looks extremely fishy given you have grades for every other class. Not sure how valid that “considered a D” policy is though.</p>
<p>thank you so much to everyone’s replies</p>
<p>and yes, taking the Pass seemed like very bad cover-up to me too.
If I take the C, would the letter be a bad idea? I’d rather have something then colleges seeing a sudden drop and thinking I slacked off, but also don’t want them to think I’m making excuses. I really have no excuse: I worked hard but it fell through. I just honestly think I would grow the most at those schools and be able to contribute. But that’s also why everyone ever applies anywhere, I guess.
anyways: thoughts on the letter?</p>
<p>Did you ever stop to think that maybe the colleges would just see the C and think, ok, this kid has to work hard in math, and it probably isn’t his favorite class/natural talent? Not everyone is fantastic at everything, and a C really does mean “average”, not “failure”. I think people have gotten so used to seeing A’s because that is what we did to kids to make them feel good about themselves, that now, anything less means “loser”, and that just isn’t true. Plenty of admissions reps are doing admissions instead of engineering because they weren’t any good at Calculus either, so who are they really to say you won’t be successful at their college - maybe not as an engineer, but if that isn’t your intended major, I don’t think the C will hurt you! Breathe. And you GC and advisors aren’t doing you any favors making this such a big deal either. Do not send a letter - it will make you look apologetic. If you worked hard and didn’t blow the class off, you did what you could. Don’t apologize for that.</p>