Is a C in math a big red flag for top engineering schools?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have low GPA, but I also have a C in BC Calculus in my junior year (1 semester). I ended up with a 4 on the AP test. I was busy with other classes and family issues, etc. Got arrogant and didn't do a single homework. </p>

<p>Would this create a huge problem Umichigan, Cornell, UIUC, etc? I did get 800 in SAT 2 Math and 780 on SAT 1 Reasoning test, while currently taking IB HL math (A in the class). </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>It needs to be explained satisfactorily. You will be competing against other applicants who got not only a 4 or 5 on the AP, but also a B or an A in BC Calc.</p>

<p>Trouble is, if you try to explain it, it may just sound like excuse-making. If you have legitimate reasons for underperforming in that math class (“family issues” is legitimate, but “arrogant” is not), see whether you can ask your guidance counselor to state them in the letter that he or she writes to go with your secondary school report.</p>

3

<p>"… but I also have a C in BC Calculus in my junior year (1 semester)."</p>

<p>One bad grade can probably be explained away or overcome in most cases. Specifically – if a college sees the in a more advanced course, they can conclude that the C was an anomoly.</p>

<p>“I have a low GPA …”</p>

<p>This may be a problem for the schools you mention.</p>

4

<p>Uh my guidance counselor wrote my letter awhile ago. Any where else I can explain it?</p>

5

<p>Is IB HL Math – multivariable calculus (i.e., beyond BC?). If so, the A in that course and your other scores speaks for itself.</p>

6

<p>Oh, I read right past that part about IB HL math. I know nothing about IB math, but if it is indeed a more advanced course than BC, I agree completely with Zephyr. In any event, Zephyr is right that A’s in your other math classes will probably mitigate the damage done by that particular C.</p>

7

<p>It’s not MV Calc, but having done both courses (well I got a 5 in BC Calc and I’ll be writing the IB exam this May) I can say with good confidence that it’s a much more rigorous course.</p>

8

<p>Just make sure you make up for it in other areas</p>

9

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<p>HL is basically the same content as AP, but is brutal. Knowing the material barely gets you a passing grade, because the problems are so challenging and require you to be able to apply the material in numerous ways.</p>

<p>I think the main issue here will be your GPA as a whole (if it’s truly low) than one bad grade in a challenging course, especially since you’ve otherwise done well in math. It’s less a red flag in math ability and more a red flag in academic motivation.</p>