Is a C+ an automatic rejection from Ivies/top-tiers?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi Everyone!</p>

<p>I'm freaking out because of my C+ in Math this year. I'm generally a good student (including math), but I was unable to receive good grades in this class. It was an advanced class which I, in retrospect, regret taking. </p>

<p>My unweighted GPA is a 3.71 and weighted is a 4.57 (at the end of junior year). My school is very academically rigorous and is notorious for being difficult to get good grades in. I have good extracurriculars so I'm hoping those help.</p>

<p>Will this flaw on my transcript be an automatic no? I got a 2250 on my SAT (740 W, 750 CR, 760 M), 750 on Chem Subject Test, and 760 on Physics Subject Test (**should I retake those tests to try for 800s?)</p>

<p>Thanks for your help! :)</p>

2

<p>What is your class rank?
What do you consider top tier?</p>

3

<p>It’s not an automatic no, but the top tier schools could easily fill their class with people who’ve never gotten Cs. So you’ll want to have some other factor which makes you desirable; if you’re just generically well rounded, they will take one of their endless supply of generically well-rounded applicants who got your grades but without a C.</p>

4

<p>I hate to say this, but after reading a lot of the decision threads, it’s quite likely that the only way you’re going to get into an ivy league school with a C on your transcript is if you’re a URM.</p>

<p>at least from my personal observation :&lt;/p>

5

<p>Thanks for responding! :)</p>

<p>My school doesn’t rank but I’m probably in the top 25%. </p>

<p>And amarkov, I think my extracurriculars are pretty unique, so I’m hoping they overshadow my poor grade.</p>

6

<p>A C+ is not particularly desirable, of course, but it’s not an automatic rejection and it would be incredibly foolish to believe so.</p>

7

<p>If you can really compensate for that C+ somewhere (e.g. you’re internationally ranked in something, excellent recommendation letters), it shouldn’t be a problem. If the rest of your application is just average, you’ll almost certainly get rejected.</p>

8

<p>Youll get into great schools but I don’t see the ivy league and similar schools in your undergrad future with those grades and class rank. Unless, as others stated, you have a hook or can compensate them with some outstanding ECs or awards</p>

9

<p>cortana, what do you consider good schools? also the class rank was a complete estimate, i’m not sure at all. my grade is only 70 kids so we’re all pretty close.</p>

<p>will stellar essays and teacher recs help as well?</p>

10

<p>@bluenotebook2 “it’s quite likely that the only way you’re going to get into an ivy league school with a C on your transcript is if you’re a URM.”</p>

<p>Doubtful, URMs will get some wiggle-room when it comes standardized testing but when it comes to class grades and rank they have to be just as on the ball as someone who is not a URM . . .</p>