I’ve taken AP World History, AP US History, and AP English Lang. I did well in those classes (90-100), but I am worried for how my senior year will end up. I’ve already been accepted into SUNY Albany and I plan on going there, but I also recognize that any changes in my grade could make them change their minds about accepting me.
I am doing fine in all my classes (which include AP Calculus and AP English Literature), BUT my grade has started to drop in AP Art History. My first semester had been in the 90~ range, but now it is lowering (currently 83). I never wanted this class but our principal is rigorous about keeping us in AP classes even if we don’t want them.
I can barely motivate myself to work hard in that class and even the good students don’t like being there. This marking period is especially short so I realize I just screwed myself over. I will try to make up the work but I am getting so anxious that there is going to be a huge 60 on my report card and my schools are going to reject me. I read a post about someone that did badly in their AP Physics class and was rejected from most of their schools.
the worry is not about being rejected, it is about being rescinded after receiving an admission offer when they see your final transcript. You should ask your GC what the rescind policy is at the schools you have applied to, or contact them yourself to ask. I don’t know about the SUNY system but out in CA the UC system can rescind for any grade below a C (although it isn’t an iron-clad rule, they review each case).
Which brings up my main point. In adult life, and you’re in it now, we often have to do things we don’t like. Do you think the adults you know spring out of bed every morning happy at the prospect of going to work, doing housework and yardwork? You have a choice here. You can figure out how to motivate yourself to pass this class and not have worries about being rescinded. Or you can stay on the current path. It’s all up to you.
Talk to the teacher after school. Ask for tips on how to understand and appreciate the material more. Check in often if you don’t understand the material. Start finding alternative materials like an AP book on the subject and Youtube videos. Go to a museum or find art history majors online and ask for tips on how to understand the subject. I agree with @mikemac that this involves a level of maturity. And that’s how colleges may look at it too.
You need to research the regulations at SUNY Albany but the general rule often quoted on CC is to avoid D’s, F’s and felonies. A 60 could be an issue.
I don’t know why you would risk three and a half years of hard work in HS – isn’t the opportunity to attend SUNY Albany motivation enough? I’d strongly suggest you get motivated even if you don’t like the teacher or the subject – it won’t be the last time in your academic and/or work life that you are faced with such an issue and you need to learn to react maturely, use long term goals to motivate yourself, and get the work done.