Is it "ok" to have an academic weakness?

Applying to College
1

<p>So, here is my situation. Please no TL;DR.</p>

<p>freshmen year: Not good, not bad. I got a 3.1ish each semester UW GPA.
Sophomore year: I came into the year looking for a fresh starts. I was in full IB, and thought it'd be a good year. I got a D in pre-IB chem.Then 2nd semester I was able to get a B+ in the class. And my grades were much more satisfactory, though still not what most of my friends are (3.25 UW, IDK weighted). Sadly to do even that in the chem class, I had to sacrifice some stuff in other classes.</p>

<p><em>current Junior first semester</em>: So I probably have a D in math.....I know it comes off as not being mature, but I tried so hard in that class. But my teacher was not helpful in giving me the tools I needed to succeed, didn't help with HW at math-help sessions, didn't go over tests with me, took forever to get back any assignments, etc. I basically began to use the internet as my only learning resource. My other classes are all the highest level at the school. I think I'll end up with a 3.15-3.25?</p>

<p>So here is what I am planning to do, crazy as it is. I want to be able to excel at math, or at least make up for the crap I've shown thus far. I'm dropping math at my school, mind you it was just Core 3 (normal class, not pre calc or whatnot).</p>

<p>I tested into precalc at my local community college. It is an online course. I will be taking that during the spring semester there, then continue onto pre calc II in the summer. THEN during my senior year, I plan on doing IB calc, the 2nd hardest math available at my school. You might be asking, why would someone not good at math want to do an insanely hard math class. Well, the answer is both teachers are ones who deliver results, and are strong math teachers. </p>

<p>So, mostly every other class has been satisfactory. I do have 2 Ds on my report card (or...at least one, if the other one goes up or down is beyond me), a C+, 7 B-s (including two from my junior, these are a bit below par, but one is in IB bio). </p>

<p>So here is what a basic app of mine should look like</p>

<p>Hispanic
first generation
Class rank: ???
Final GPA: ???
IB Diploma</p>

<p>Library tutor (ironic, isn't it?): three years, god knows how many hours, lots of results from my students. I really like this</p>

<p>Started poetry program at library: two years (I get people interested in reading and writing poetry, with a bunch of different lesson plans).</p>

<p>Write poetry in free time (as well as short stories and essays): I've actually won a few scholarships.</p>

<p>Kendo: I'm first Dan, hope to be a 2nd my senior year. </p>

<p><em>Summer stuff: Business program, the stuff above, summer courses at community college (this year)</em></p>

<p>So, assuming I AM able to perform well enough in my pre-calc classes, overall have a good 2nd semester of my junior year (We'll say 3.80+), do well on the standardizes tests, and my summer courses/pre calc classes bring up my GPA.</p>

<p>Davidson, Carleton, St. Olaf, Santa Clara, Colorado College, Chapman, Pitzer, Brandeis, American University, GWU, UW Seattle
I am fairly aware of the competitivness of these schools.</p>

<p>Also
Washington and Lee, Whitman, Colgate, Reed, Colby, Grinnell, Pomona, CMC (the last two are giant reaches, even among all of these I know.....).</p>

2

<p>Your list is rather reaching for your current grades. Once you actually have raised the GPA, and have bonafide SAT scores to evaluate, we can give you a more realistic view.</p>

<p>For now, concentrate on that schoolwork.</p>

3

<p>Uh… no offense, but this sounds like you’re setting yourself up for failure. We had a motivational speaker who came to our school and in his words, you’re “eating the wrong stuff.” You’re devoting your time and energy (“eating”) to the wrong subjects. Why not focus on subjects you’re strong in so that those can boost your GPA? I’m not saying stop trying, but focus on taking responsible classes in math and doing well in them. Then you can work your way up to the really difficult courses.</p>

4

<p>I don’t think you do understand the competitiveness of these schools… Most of these are reaches for someone with D’s under their belt. Focus your list on schools that are better matches for your GPA. </p>

<p>And your ECs really aren’t impressive enough to qualify taking time and energy away from your schoolwork. Drop the ECs that you can and focus on bringing your GPA as far up as possible. And add some schools to your list. Plenty of state schools have rolling admissions.</p>

5

<p>I know alot of these are rather reaching. But I figured some of them (GWU, AU, Chapman, Santa Clara, and maybe CC) weren’t too bad, with a 3.2ish UW with full IB. I know I may have blown my chances at UW (I am instate) if I can’t get my GPA up to a solid 3.6-7 w/full IB. Mind you I know my application list seems arrogant with my standing, but I want a small school, which is why I am not applying to more state schools.</p>

<p>And yes, I know I am going to concentrate on my schoolwork. 2nd semester begins February 1st, and I…well, as you said, am going to focus on my school work (IB Philosophy, Japanese 300, IB bio, IB business&management, IB English, IB history). And then for me, pre calc begins in March.</p>

<p>So, in the mean time, I guess I’ll stay focused, stay optimistic, work hard, and come back here after I’ve taken the SAT and have my junior year GPA.</p>

<p>And no offense taken, I came here for advice. Although I do really want to go into calculus, as far of a reach as it may be. And I figure by seeing my less than affable failures here, if I do well in a harder class (And I refuse to do bad, because the CC I’ll be taking it at has a free math-center for all levels of help), then strive and perservere in a high level class…I can compensate. </p>

<p>And I got 205 (80, 70, 55: Writing, reading, math) on the PSAT if that’s any indicator for the SAT (94th percentile, so nothing there). I’m studying like heck for it too.</p>

6

<p>ANd I suppose I should truthfully add that a part of me was probably overfactoring in socioeconomic stuff + hispanic + full IB with…less than stellar, but not BAD grades.</p>

7

<p>There are many highly qualified Hispanic applicants. The “tip” is not so great compared to the URM power of African-Americans and Native-Americans. Better to work on great stats in order to outweigh those D’s than bank on tips and hooks.</p>