Is this really bad???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I just wanted to know... how bad are these grades? D: Will Harvard reject me automatically upon seeing them, even if I am able to justify why they're so bad?</p>

<p>Science 10 Advanced -- 92
Math 11 Advanced -- 80 (I came from a school that didn't teach much math to a school that's all math all the time... so the teacher said he will bump it up, but still... & also I'm in grade 10 taking this course because I skipped a math grade)
English 10 Advanced -- 91
French 10 Advanced -- 93
Music 10 -- 88
Geography 9 -- 94 (I took History 10 last year because math screwed up my schedule... just reversed the 2 credits)
Introductory Physics/Programming course -- 90 (seriously the toughest course I've ever taken... the teacher is notorious for being really challenging & strict; the class avg. is probably in the 60s, so will that count for anything?)</p>

<p>Last year's marks were MUCH better & next year I can guarantee they will be better. The transition to a new school kind of screwed me over, & there was some personal stuff I had to deal with as well. My avg. last year was 95. Next year it will probably be in that area again. </p>

<p>Also, does Harvard look at your school profile? My school is easily the toughest in the entire city, & I think it sends at least one person to HYPSM every year. So they would know that, right? </p>

<p>Do you think my grade 10 marks could completely destroy my chances? D:</p>

<p>ALSO, how does Harvard calculate your high school GPA? Is it something like 90% = A, 80% = B, etc? Do they count grade nine?</p>

2

<p>depends on your rank.</p>

3

<p>they look at your whole four years of high school…keep working on that math, it seems like your weak point. whats your grades for grade 9?</p>

4

<p>Thanks, I appreciate your help. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I can definitely guarantee that math will not be a problem in grade 11. :smiley: I failed miserably this year due to the transition from a school that didn’t put much emphasis on math to a school with advanced classes & an especially good math program. It was really fast-paced & my math teacher told me that I had the highest mark out of any students he’d previously seen make that transition, which I guess is cool because it’s a grade 11 class. Maybe I’ll get him to write me a rec for college, haha. </p>

<p>Grade nine marks:
Music 9 – 94
Phys. Ed. 9 – 94 (mandatory course)
French 9 – 97
Math 10 – 93 (could’ve been better… exam brought me down a little :()
English 9 – 94
Science 9 – 95
Accounting 11 – 98
History 10 – 90 (ew, history…)</p>

<p>I hate how they went down SO much, but next year they’ll be back up in this range. If I can make that happen, will it compensate for grade 10?</p>

<p>& I don’t know my rank right now, but in grade 9 I came first. I’m probably still in the top 10%… my new school is TOUGH.</p>

5

<p>I’ve tried talking to my guidance counselor but all she ever tells me is not to worry about it & that I’m doing fine. :confused: She doesn’t even think my math mark is a problem. I’ve talked to her about this on several occasions & I’m just not convinced by this.</p>

6

<p>“This is something you should discuss with the guidance counselor at your current school. It’s hard to know how good these grades are without knowing more about your school’s grading system and true course rigor. See if you can find out what colleges or programs people with your grades were to accepted to in the past, that should give you a good idea.”</p>

<p>Edit:
Then you’re probably worrying too much :). Does the school have anything like Naviance, or a database of past acceptances? If you find your grades to be in the range, you’ll be fine.</p>

7

<p>your freshman grades are pretty good…i think you just need to keep up the hard work</p>