<p>I'm not talking Ivy League but top 20 to top 50. In light of all the applications flooding these schools, what about the one bad faculty member who just can't teach and the kid brings home the first C from school?</p>
<p>The answer is NO. You can relax.</p>
<p>No. It's the whole package that matters, and how you fit the school, so just sit back and relax, as xiggi said.</p>
<p>Also, are you talking about 1 "C" for one quarter? colleges sometimes just look at the year end average for one class. Such as 1 qtr "A", 2nd qtr "B", 3rd qtr "C", 4th qtr "B". year end average "B". </p>
<p>My sons' school only has 1st semester average grade and 2nd semester average grade and year end average grade on transcripts. One bad quarter grade doesn't even get seen by colleges. What does your school do?</p>
<p>the only thing it would hurt you in is ranking, which can matter. but overall...i would say in the top 20 colleges, you're fine.</p>
<p>Should be okay, but be prepared in case anyone in admissions asks about it.</p>
<p>Our HS neither ranks nor weights grades and both my S's got into top 20 universities with a C in an AP class senior year.</p>
<p>no problem. unless it's in a subject that you're planning to major in (ie if it's in math and you're applying directly to an engineering program) it's hardly a big deal at all--and even in that circumstance i wouldn't say your chances are completely gone.</p>
<p>i applied as a gov/ journalism major, and was accepted to northwestern, emory, smith, and others despite my C in AB calc. i was rejected at more highly-ranked places, but I doubt it was only that grade that did it...</p>
<p>I think it would be better you got a C in AP instead of classes like "basket weaving." I'm pretty sure if you are like an English major and made a C in AP physics, they would understand.</p>
<p>"what about the one bad faculty member who just can't teach and the kid brings home the first C from school?"</p>
<p>That seems to be a popular excuse...lol</p>
<p>Anyway, it shouldn't hurt for schools in the 20-50 range, particularly if the applicant has other factors that put him/her significantly ahead of his/her peers. Someone who's already top 5% and has a 1400 who's applying to the University of Miami or Tulane probably doesn't need to worry too much about a C or two. On the other hand, an OOS applicant to a school like UVA or Berkeley may be in hot water.</p>
<p>i got C's both semesters in AP calc (junior year). </p>
<p>got into berkeley, UCLA, waitlisted at stanford. </p>
<p>it's about the overall GPA and everything else. it's about what you CAN do, not what you CAN'T do.</p>
<p>Good heavens, no! My son ended up accepting a large scholarship at a top-50 and a scholarship offer at a top-25 (that was too close to home) with one C in an AP. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>Is it my imagination but are schools finding it harder and harder to find effective teachers for math classes? Our sons' school recently hired a PhD to teach Alg II and higher classes. The principal was so excited because of her diploma credentials but the teacher is completely ineffective - she has no "teaching skills" and can't get down to the kids' levels. There are more kids than ever failing her class. The principal told me that she will not be returning next year.</p>
<p>I have come to the same conclusion regarding math teachers. The robot who taught my d was a machine, incapable of any assistance. In S's case, the math teacher is a genius--no question about it but cannot communicate worth a darn. The comments made by other students at another website indicate this teacher is among the worst. The school has a few others who are failing to recognize it is time to retire.
I have now hired a tutor to assist. Over half the class has engaged a tutor.</p>
<p>As for an excuse, it's odd when S is pulling As in AP Physics and Chem, that he is having a problem with the math. I would have thought it was S but the fact that the class parents have hired outside tutors to such a degree indicates it isn't the students. No excuses but sometimes you just have to recognize that a problem exists and it isn't always the student.</p>