<p>I just found out my end of year math grade and I am freaking out a LOT, to be honest.
A 76?!
If I somehow ace my final, I can bring it up to a 78 again or maaaaybe with a dash of pixie dust, an 80.
I am getting A's and B's in every class and I just won a Spanish award!
My GPA is now an 86 instead of an 88 and I am so stressed about it.
I have great extracurriculars, but my math is my weak point. I still have the first trimester at a slightly less rigorous school than now next year, but still, I'm panicking!
What can I do to make sure that I can still get into my dream school (Taft) and kick butt in math next year so that my application will still be great?</p>
<p>Another thing, as braggy and obnoxious as this may sound (But hey, this is CC), a family friend (Former director of admissions at Exeter) is very good friends with the Director of Admissions at Taft. It is my second time applying to Taft and my grades have come up HUGE bounds and strides.
Maybe I’m just wigging myself out over nothing, but I can’t help but feeling a twinge jumpy over how this might affect my application…</p>
<p>It will affect your application; however, with that said, everyone goes through a rough patch once in a while. Make sure your SSAT percentile and score on the math section in particular are up to par, and maybe take a course or two over the summer to refresh (and then mention that during an interview or in your application). Math is not going to be the one thing that prevents you from being admitted, so you’ve still definitely got a shot. Besides, it sounds like math isn’t your strong suit or passion anyway, so focus on your strengths and try to improve on your weaknesses.</p>
<p>I mean, yeah it’s going to look bad, but then AO’s can let one thing slide, I’m sure, especially if you do indeed show them that your math is not bad, and that the score was a one time fluke.</p>
<p>My teacher this year acted more of a friend than a teacher and I adore her, but I really didn’t develop too much this year as a math student. I am hoping that with some tutoring this summer, I’ll be able to convince the AO’s that I do, indeed, belong at Taft! Oh, and @mrnephew, I see you on the boards frequently. Huuuge congrats on Lawrenceville! It’s a great school and I’m sure you will do well there 
Thanks for the help, you guys.</p>
<p>Haha, thanks.</p>
<p>Tutoring would help, and entering with a chip on your shoulder is going to help. Personal experience, trust me.</p>
<p>That phrase always reminds me of the song from Legally Blonde (Theatre Geek me, I suppose): “With the chanc I’ve been given, I’m gonna be driven as hell!” I think it’s a good way to look at the whole application process.</p>
<p>If that’ll start to piss you off, and thus make you work harder, by all means, do it. B-) </p>
<p>I just need to remember how devastated I was when I found out that I hadn’t been accepted and use that negative energy to my advantage. This sounds awful and snooty and frankly, pretentious, but I hope that my family friend would be willing to make a phone call and just say how it’s my first choice when I begin the application process. Taft is known for being more athletic than into the arts so I’m hoping that having a combination of both could help me this time!</p>
<p>For an athletic school, the fact that they didn’t have a pool turned me off of it. But everything else I really liked.</p>
<p>Isn’t that strange? Two hockey rinks, an 18 hole golf course, and no pool?! </p>
<p>That’s what I thought. They have some ridiculously awesome athletic facilities, and it’s the only TSAO school without a pool. Although I’ve heard rumors they’re looking into building one.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind that! I’m a tennis player and their courts are gorgeous. The ones at my school now are gross and the nets are all rotted and whatnot. But the entire campus is absolutely stunning. Plus, I really like the whole “one building for education purposes” -ish they have going on there. Not having to walk across campus to get lunch would be a miracle. </p>
<p>Haha, yeah, it’s going to be really cool.</p>
<p>The “tennis court” at my school is a cement square, surrounded by a fence, with a huge pile of dirt. :-/ </p>
<p>Yep, as @pdl100 so wisely stated earlier, focus on your strengths. Strive to become better at your weaknesses, of course, but it doesn’t have to be your top priority. Make sure you can show the admissions office that despite your math grade, you would still be a great contribution to the Taft community (emphasize your strengths during the applications process… maybe beef up your extracurriculars?)</p>
<p>Since your math grade has been more-or-less cemented, accept it and move on. Spin the “negative” experience to your advantage. It would be a great essay topic: how you received a score you were less than satisfied with, and how you overcame that obstacle and ultimately became a more driven/conscientious student.</p>
<p>Trust me, I know. Last year, my science grade was 89% for one trimester because of this one test that I bombed. However, I made sure that the grades I received in other subjects exceeded 95% and I sought extra help in science. I stayed behind after school to ask questions, asked for extra worksheets… and it all paid off. My science teacher acknowledged my efforts and my applications were not defined by that one 89% I received because my teachers recognized the lengths I went to to improve.</p>
<p>How psyched are you for Lawrenceville! I would have my dorm and class schedule planned out the second I got my letter.</p>
<p>I was accepted to taft this year. Make sure you interview well. Dont be afraid to tell them how much you like the school. SSAT are important too just get above an 85% and you’ll be good (aim higher though). Believe in your self I think you can do it. :D/ </p>
<p>Yeah guys, I was also accepted to Taft, I think the interview really helped me because it is like a person to advocate for you for free. Also, if you play any sports, try to meet with coaches because the more people that can interact with the ADCOM face to face and not through email will help you.</p>
<p>@squashisawesome: Thank you thank you thank you! I am going to try to meet with the varsity tennis coach when I visit and I’m going to also send her a video of me playing after the fact. Thank you! My first interview went “okay”- Definitely not my greatest. However, through an extracurricular which requires interview skills, I’ve come a long way and I think I have a decent chance of making this application season count. </p>