So, I am actually shaking as I am writing this because I never thought this day will come. I am currently a junior and I still have a chance NOT to end with a C. I am trying very hard and continued to study as well. The problem is I am on the verge of getting a C+ on AP Chemistry. Now, all of my other classes are As and a B. I only have like 4 B’s on my transcript. ALL As. I really want to go to UVA and Boston U. But it seems like because of the C+ it might be a reach. I am truly lost and I know that there is more to applications. Now, the reason I had a C+ and not an A or a B is because I worked to help my family but stopped once my grades begin to drop for Chem. I never even got a C on a quarter grade let alone a whole year prior to this. So what scares me is even if I match the SAT and the GPA, because of the C+ I won’t get admitted.
I have A TON of EC’s I run my whole club, I just got scholarship to go to France to study for the summer, I directed plays etc. I do get involved and I know my essays will be good because I have LOTS of interesting stories to tell because I went through A LOT as a teen/ kid. So should I give up and just look at safety schools? Please be frank, I tried avoiding this question because I was scared of the answer but I don’t want to lie to myself anymore.
Not sure what you have been reading but many students get a C or even two and the world continues to turn.
A single C is not going to ruin your chances, but you have to understand that those schools are difficult to get into no matter what. By all means, you should apply to a couple of safety schools and some matches also.
My bigger concern is that you are so worried about a C in a class that you felt you couldn’t help your family any longer. Surely family, who you will know for the rest of your life, is more important than college? Colleges like it when students have to make sacrifices for family and manage to do well in spite of it. You can ask your guidance counselor to help explain your family circumstance but I am not sure you need that because your grades are good.
You need to stop panicking about what might not happen and what will happen. What will happen in your family if you don’t help them? As far as your grades go, continue to work hard, make time for other activities when you can, and do your best. And by the way, whatever help you have been giving your family can be listed in your activities section.
You are completely correct, it took a lot for me to stop working. But for poorer families, going to college (especially a good one) is not a question. Not working anymore while I saw my family make ends meet was really hard, It was even much harder to learn. But it was also my fault for not correcting the mistake. I thought I could handle it. Thank you so much for your input. I will continue to work hard and being positive. Thank you so much!