I got a D+ in AP Calc AB in my first semester Senior year and a C in AP Chem. Everything else is fine (1 B 3As). I ended up with a 3.0 UW gpa by the end of the semester.
Overall: 3.54 UW
SAT: 2200 (680 math, 760 Reading, 780 Writing)
I ended up dropping AP Calc and wrote a letter of explanation to my colleges. Is there anything else that I should do? I feel like this one D and C just blew away my chances of getting into any school. It’s not sernioritis. It’s just that my calc class is soo damn hard (class avg was 77) and took away my time from getting an A in physics and a B in AP Chem. That was my main explanation as to why I dropped the class. As for why I failed, I talked about how it was my fault for not seeking outside assistance and remaining stubborn. “I take full responsibility…” etc etc. I basically explained the source of my problem and promised that I would strive to do better in second semester and plan on retaking the course at my local cc over the summer.
Applied schools: UCSD, UCI, UCD, UCLA, Wakeforest, Vanderbilt, BU, Case western, Northeastern, Grinnell, Colgate, University of Rochester, USC, Brandeis, NYU, Emory, University of Washington
Sorry I had to get this off of my chest. My college counselor is unrealistic and none of my friends are in my situation/ Thus, I turned to CC
Reporting before admission decisions is necessary, because unreported D grades in senior year risk rescission after the college sees them on your final high school transcript. The UCs’ typical admission conditions include not getting any D or F grades in senior year.
Before matriculating to any college, be sure to verify that the previously reported D grade in senior year will not cause rescission. However, you may want to make backup plans for starting at a community college and transferring as a junior.
It is not all over. You may have the opportunity to speak directly with an admissions counselor at a UC (or not), and there may be increased interest in your second semester grades. While they could rescind admission (or change their admission decision), I suspect most schools would not, based on your gpa up until now.
If I were you, I would be VERY worried. However, at the end of the day, you may find that it does not change the outcome. There is nothing more to do (except, of course, needlessly worry).
If the class average was 77, which was recorded as a ‘C’, perhaps others are in the same boat. Could your teacher (or counselor) provide a grade distribution to the colleges?
All of the schools you listed are pretty competitive. There will be plenty of applicants who have not gotten any Cs or Ds applying to all of these schools. Why should they accept you? Any of these schools that have accepted you may in fact rescind. The schools that you applied to RD will be worried about the sudden drop in grades.
On another note, it’s great that you wrote them a letter and are taking actions to prove that you can indeed handle college level work. I just don’t know how realistic it is to say that you have as good of a shot at these schools as you did before, especially since your GPA was a little on the lower side for them anyway. The letter should only help though, as it demonstrates maturity and honesty.
Show interest, study hard. May the cards fall in your favor.
As a side note, if it were me, I would not have written to the colleges until I received acceptances from them. You have not received “conditions of admittance” yet with instructions to tell you to contact them if Senior grades droop.
I would have first approached my school to see if I could do make-up, extra credit, or anything to increase the recorded grade (preferably before the semester ended!); then, if that did not work, sent a letter IMMEDIATELY upon receiving acceptances, not before.
I know that for you this ship has sailed, but these opinions may be useful for others to consider.
@ItsJustSchool Except these are first semester grades. At most of the schools on OPs list (except the UCs), midyear reports are taken into consideration. Therefore, OP needs to explain the grades before admissions sees them, which would be now.
You applied to a lot of schools! Which schools are your safeties? Are you depending on FA or merit aid to pay for school? Would you consider adding any schools to your list at this point?
@mikemac, I kind of figured I would get some flak for deviating from ‘the letter of the law.’ Yes, they do say that. From a practical perspective, if it were me, I would notify the UC’s that admitted me IMMEDIATELY upon being admitted. I do not think there is much downside to waiting for that point in time, though there may be downside in waiting after that point in time.
My college counselor told me that if I were to get a 4.0 or 3.8 after dropping AP calc, (which means I have to get an A in either Physics of chem) I can have a good reason to appeal at the end of the year, assuming no colleges take me.
UPDATE: Hey guys! So I got into Case Western with full tuition scholarship, northeastern, UCSB bio program, and waitlisted from University of Rochester! I’m still waiting on other schools to come out too! Looks like I was just being a worry bug.
If you got into Case with a full tuition scholarship and got waitlisted at Rochester, there’s no chance I’ll even make the waitlist. But congratulations! You have many AMAZING schools to choose from.
