Is Harvard possible with a C?...

Colleges & Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hi everyone. I am in high school and just got a C in Calculus BC. But...the reason for that is that my teacher never taught anything and makes his quizzes and tests so impossibly hard. Next semester, he says that he thinks it's a good idea for me to switch to Calc AB. So, I guess I have two question for all of you: #1: Would colleges like Harvard prefer to see me switch to Calc AB next semester, and then take BC next year, or prefer me to continue in BC and try to get a better grade next semester? #2: Is it possible for me to still get into Harvard with a C on my transcript? -- (I have included some of the other things that I do in and outside of school...</p>

<p>Scores: 240 PSAT and I haven't taken the SAT yet.
Extra Curriculars: Indian Violin (10 years), Assistant teacher for Indian Violin (4 years), Western Violin private lessons (4 years), Beethoven Chamber Orchestra (3 years), singing lessons (10 years), Black belt in karate (6 years), Work at highly reputed college as a researcher with a grad student (2 years), published scientist, winner of science fairs at a regional/state and national level, science olympiad, Beta, Student Council, French club, math club, and I started a club in my school which mentors middle schoolers in science fair, volunteered in India at an orphanage (2 years), elite math program and received the second highest level (11 years), french tutor (3 years). </p>

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A horrible teacher is not an acceptable excuse for a C. You should have known from your first test that you did not have a handle on the material and looked for a tutor who could have helped you throughout the semester. </p>

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While Calc BC seems to be the holy-grail of college admissions – Admissions Officers think it’s one of the toughest AP’s available – many students are accepted to Harvard and other selective colleges having taken only Calc AB. Bottom line: If you can switch courses AND get a tutor, so that you get an A next semester in Calc AB that would be fine.</p>

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If you have straight A’s in every other course – including your other math courses – it might be looked upon as an aberration. </p>

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<p>You can get in with a C. It’s possible, but not likely.</p>

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<p>I have three C’s in total, and 6 B’s on my transcript… I just hope that Harvard can look past that and view my entire application as a whole. overall, your probably in a lot better position than I am.</p>

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<p>^^ According to Harvard’s Common Data Set, 95% of admitted students are in the top 10% of their graduating class. @Jolex2 and @KateS19: Does your GPA place you in the top 10% of your class?</p>

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<p>@gibby I’m home-schooled, so I have no class size or ranking… I have been taking college classes since I was 14. That accounts for the C’s and B’s when I was just starting and getting into the swing of things. I think of all the HOME-SCHOOL students graduating when I am, I would be in the 10-3%. Does that make sense?</p>

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<p>^^ This article is 8 years old. Maybe Harvard’s numbers have increased since then: <a href=“Homeschoolers A Small But Growing Minority | News | The Harvard Crimson”>http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/4/17/homeschoolers-a-small-but-growing-minority/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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