<p>I feel like hitting my head over and over with a brick. I should have known better. I just received my Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 Grades and I'm not happy with them. My quarter 1 grades were good. But then Quarter 2 took a huge toll on me. I guess I just lost track of time and my grades started to slip.</p>
<p>Quarter 1 and 2 (Combined):
Home Economics: A
Modern Mythology: A
Pre Calculus Honors: B
AP Physics B: D
AP US History: D
AP English Language and Comp: C
Art: A</p>
<p>I'm extremely disappointed in myself. I should have been more aware of my grades, but I wasn't really keeping check. The only thing that can save me know are my finals, but I'd pretty much have to receive perfect scores on them to at least move up a letter grade. Junior Year is the most important year (Academic-wise) and I've done so poorly in my classes. As of know my GPA is a 3.25UW/3.87W. I don't know how my grades will affect my GPA. This really isn't like me. I've never even gotten a D before. I'm really worried how this will affect my chances at a good private college (Not Harvard material, but maybe Duke or Carnegie Mellon--slim chance?). I know I'm capable of doing a lot better. If I was able to pull off straight As next semester (although the odds are against me) and do well on my AP Exams (4-5 range) could I still have a chance?</p>
<p>I hate to say this and it probably sounds mean but do you really think you have any chance at duke with a 3.25? Even if you brought that up to like a 3.5, you’d have to have some ridiculous EC’s/scores…
If I were an adcom, I’d look at the D, D, and C in your only 3 AP classes and determine that you weren’t very ready for rigorous work, similar to that at a top private.</p>
<p>@DoinSchool APUSH is considered the hardest AP at my school, not because of the content it self, but because the teacher is unbelievable. She may be good and have a high pass rate on the exam (96%) but she’s a tough teacher. Most students didn’t even bother to take APUSH.</p>
<p>@seahawks506 I suppose you are right but I was almost certain I was ready for the amount of coursework this year. Sophomore Year I took AP French (B), AP World History (A/B), AP Chemistry (B/A), and AP Human Geography (A). By the end of Junior year I would have taken 9 APs. My Finals could still change my grades. But the best scenario would be:
Semester 1:
Home Economics: A
Modern Mythology: A
Pre Calculus Honors:A
AP Physics B: C
AP US History: C
AP English Language and Comp: B
Art: A</p>
<p>I also forgot to add that I’m taking AP Statistics (A) and AP Art History (A) online, as well. If worst comes to worst I’ll have to go to summer school or retake the whole class (Physics) over again. In all honesty AP Physics B and AP US History was not the best combination. They totally wrecked my GPA. I’m sure if I decided to make either one of the classes as an honors class my grades would not be as low. I understand that Duke is probably pushing it, but it is my dream school. Or at least was.</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with the applicant statuses for Duke and Carnegie Mellon, so its only my pure opinion when I say that your chances are probably slim.</p>
<p>Slim does not equal no chance, so obviously you still need to try if you want to have a shot at the schools. You’re mad at yourself for doing so horribly? Make it up and study your brain out for the finals to achieve your best possible scenario. It looks about 10X better than your current grades. Worrying/Being depressed right now isn’t going to do any good.</p>
<p>^thanks HeWhoPwnz. I’ve been slaving over my Amsco APUSH Book in preperation for my final and memorizing formulas for Physics.
If anyone else has any advice its welcomed.</p>
<p>Besides memorizing formulas for physics, make sure you can use them in context. That’s usually how people mess up on tests - they know the formulas, but not how to use them in word problems. Practice, practice, practice. Become antisocial for a month (or more…) if you must, but get those grades up. Your future is worth it.</p>
<p>Are you in year long classes? If so, then those D’s won’t be on your transcript, only your year-end grades will be.</p>
<p>What you need to do: Get straight A’s. Study. Study. Study.
So that:
Pre Calculus Honors: B -> B+/A-
AP Physics B: D -> C+/B-
AP US History: D -> C+/B-
AP English Language and Comp: C -> B</p>
<p>Then, Ask for extra credit. Some teachers are willing to add points to year-end averages for extra papers/projects.</p>
<p>I’ve had a D in a class before. And it sucks. I get it. The next quarter, though, I worked hard and got an A.</p>
<p>And if I were you, I’d take those finals extremely seriously and study, study, study.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think you’ll have a huge chance at Duke with C’s… but I do think you’ll have a chance at a lot of good colleges. And the nice thing about college? You can redeem yourself. If you do well freshman/sophomore year, then you can transfer into a better college.</p>
<p>Still apply though.</p>
<p>I think it’s key to talk to your teachers in this situation. They might be able to help you/work with you. If you can pull off straight A’s and up your grade to be a C, they might be willing to give you bonus points (for extra work of course) to bump that up to a B. And a B isn’t as good as an A, but its certainly no C or D.</p>
<p>^Thank You, AU Girl. I just finished my finals today and unfortunately they didn’t really change my grades all that much. But next semester I’ll make sure that I work my hardest to attain better grades.</p>
<p>If anyone else has any helpful advice or comments I’d appreciate it. thanks</p>