<p>Sorry if this isn't the first post of its kind (probably won't be the last!) but in terms of colleges looking at transcripts:</p>
<p>I have always been very, very strong in history, English, and languages. (In APUSH last year I got a 5 and a 93 class average, 100 on NYS Regents for English and about a 95 average, and 96 average for Italian and Spanish, 99 on both finals) and I want to go into International Relations and will be informing colleges of my intended major. If you look at my weighted average (about 93 or 94) and my unweighted (about 91.8 or so) they were brought down considerably by my math grades, and slightly by my science. If I do really well this year (my senior year) in these subjects, and I'm applying IR, will the colleges look at my GPA and transcript differently and realize that I'm still a strong student? Last year I had an awful, awful math teacher and I don't want her to be the reason my application is hurt... </p>
<p>My reaches include schools like Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and Brown.</p>
<p>It’s funny how similar we are. I also excel in English and SS, and my math grades have brought my gpa down from a would be 3.8/3.9 to a 3.6ish area. I also am very interested in IR and am applying to Gtown and JHU.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there are a great many students who are specially talented in one area (like IR) and but still have 4.0s. There are ways to be well-lopsided without sacrificing GPA.</p>
<p>Still, you’re in better shape than people with similar GPAs who have a smattering of grades all across the board. The fact that your strengths and weaknesses are concentrated will make you more competitive amongst those with similar GPAs. </p>
<p>My advice? Don’t make excuses on your app for your lower grades (I know, I know–I had a rough chem teacher last year. It’s tempting to blame your grade on them), and let your good grades, essays, recs, scores, and ECs stand on their own.</p>
<p>Lol I finished in Calc AB with a 105 weighted. Everyone’s got their strengths. Colleges know that. Just as long as you have a good set of EC’s, you write an awesome essay, and you have teachers to write you letters of rec you have a chance.</p>