<p>No they will not because no one has time. Its a matter of prioritzing and organization. The number one thing colleges consider is your transcript. Everything else is simply a factor. We all know that. Moreover its a matter of maturity. Accept responsibility: Not enough time is simply not an excuse.</p>
<p>They look for trends, preferably upward, and if they don't see an upward one they look for relative stability. If your grades were fluctuating be prepared for some explanations... Also, remember the transcript is not the only thing being considered, but if anything is too bizarre it could be a red flag...</p>
<p>Dude. Academics are the most important area. This "i dont have time" will only go so far. ECs are great, but if you were overcommitted, it's not going to be ok with the adcoms.</p>
<p>why is fluctuating bad??</p>
<p>everyone says inconsistency is bad.</p>
<p>why??</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I can see why "i dont have time" does NOT apply...when it comes to CONSISTENT bad grades....because then, that is an "Excuse"</p></li>
<li><p>but INCONSISTENT grades...the basic explanation is: I don't have time. That is very simple and it is NOT a trick uesd to slant the adcom's persepectives. That is an explanation for my inconsistency. I don't know if they buy it or not or like it or not. But will they understand that, that INCONSISTENCY = TIME PROBLEM.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I just want them to know my inconsistent grades = bad time management because i devoted time to other things.
i don't really care if they LIKE it or NOT. I just want them to understand and accept that IT IS THE REASON.</p>
<p>From what I hear, college admissions is them basically looking at your stats and looking for patterns/consistency in your high school education, activities, etc. and seeing how well you progress and achieve through high school. Inconsistency is not the best thing</p>
<p>First of all, you can turn off caps lock. You can tell them that, but you run the risk of sounding whiny and immature. It's one thing if a legitimate issue causes grades to go down (death in the family, serious illness ,etc.). But not having enough time? That shows both an inability to manage your time (a red flag to colleges; if you can't do this in the very structured environment of high school, college will be even worse) and lack of depth. At the top schools, you are competing with students who have done truly amazing extracurricular things and achieved outstanding grades as well. Whether or not it may be true, you will come across as if you use this excuse. Just put together strong essays, a solid application, and a list of match and safety schools you'd like to attend, and let your record stand on its own. While inconsistent, you are a very competitive applicant at a number of great schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>Inconsistency isn't really "good". but Why is it BAD??</p>
<p>inconsistency means that someone is CAPABLE of achieving high grades. And inconsistency arises from outside interference.(whether he slacks off sometimes/someone died/whatever)</p>
<p>i my case, it is because i don't have time.</p>
<p>i don't see why Inconcistency in general is a bad thing as long as there is a legitimate "excuse" -not enough time (in this case, supported by my Resume)</p>
<p>The thing is, it's not a legit excuse. Time management is key for success in both college and the real world, as are sorting out one's priorities and being able to focus and work hard. Competitive applicants to the top schools have pretty much mastered this already. From your record, it would appear to adcoms that you haven't. From what I can see, colleges don't want someone who's going to get involved in a million different things, run out of time to really devote effort and achieve excellence in anything, and slack off in school/ not contribute anything to class. They want people with the maturity to manage their time and their lives on their own and who show that they can be committed to something (ie, a major o ractivity). Just stop dancing around the facts and forget this sorry excuse! You are wasting time trying to weasel out of your past, which will accomplish nothing. Work on your essays and on presenting yourself the best you can in your app, and let it stand on its own.</p>
<p>Inconsistency is bad because there are better candidates with better statistics, with better recommendations, with more interesting extracurricular activities, with better essays who aren't inconsistent.</p>
<p>TTG</p>
<p>
[quote]
why is fluctuating bad??</p>
<p>everyone says inconsistency is bad.</p>
<p>why??
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It is not so much that inconsitency is bad looking just at your transcript ... the high points show your potential. It is when comparing your record against the other Wharton candidates that it raises flags. Penn will receive 10,000+ applications and in those are thousands with consistent excellent grades, great test scores, and strong ECs ... why should Wharton bypass those kids already consistently living up to their potential to accept an applicant who sometimes lives up their potential? The answer ... usually Penn will pick among those already living up to their potential unless there is a very strong hook that somehow compensates for the inconsistency in academic performance.</p>
<p>Overall, you have a very strong application ... the weaknesses make the very top schools a reach for you ... but you're a great candidate for a ton if really excellent schools ... I agree with the advice about looking forward and making your applications as positive as possible. Good luck!</p>
<p>thank you for all your long replies</p>
<p>i think i understand why inconsistency is "bad" now. it's because i am sometimes capable, whereas some people are always capable.</p>
<p>YES! You got it. You're very talented and have many great EC's, but schools are looking for always capable. The most important thing you can show ad coms is having consistently good grades. After all everyone is capable (mostly) if they want to be. </p>
<p>Just make sure that you pick safeties & matches.</p>