Mandatory Perfection?

<p>Will one C totally sink any chance at a top school? The grade is in Calc AB first semester. Second semester was an A. Calc BC grades were all A's. Grades in other AP courses (took full load) were all A's. ACT 34. Killer EC's (Leadership, State recognition, CS, internships, Regional Recognition). Class rank top 5-10% (tough school).
So with all that work, in the end, does the C make it all for nothing?</p>

<p>What grade?</p>

<p>Junior Year. Fear is that even with perfect record from here, that one blip will haunt.</p>

<p>haha, don’t worry about it at all. Colleges don’t see your semester or quarter grades; they see your averages of the classes for the whole year, the grade listed on your transcript.</p>

<p>Unlikely, but depends on what you mean by “top school”. At HYP with 6% or 7% acceptance rates you are likely to get rejected anyway, even in you didn’t have that C. It’s a matter of statistics. Sorry to say.</p>

<p>What transcripts look like varies from one school to another. At our city schools(Madison, WI) quarter grades disappear on the transcript, along with any comments or +/- designations, but final semester grades IS what they send. You get 2 separate grades for a year-long course. No class average %s or anything, just A-B-C.</p>

<p>Final grade is all my colleges see.</p>

<p>Which is wonderful.</p>

<p>Our counselor told us that semester grades are seen by colleges. The C was, unfortunately a semester grade…B first quarter, C second quarter, C on the exam. By the way, got a 5 on the AP exam if that helps.
Have been told by others though, that any C is an automatic reject- no matter how good everything else looks…</p>

<p>Top Schools meaning Ivies. Yes, percentages are so low that it very daunting …</p>

<p>Getting A’s in Calculus B/C should offset the C in A/B. If other factors are stellar, I do not think the C will eliminate you from consideration at top schools although it certainly does not help. Might want to get rec from that math teacher since you improved to an A the next semester.</p>

<p>Appreciate all replies. Yes muckdogs, Calc teacher has already agreed to write very positive recommendation. Hope this helps a little…</p>