Problem---help please!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>How much would a failing grade in Chinese speaking in Year 11 affect my chances? I got an "F" in speaking in Chinese on my Year 11 transcript, but my overall Chinese grade was a pass (like a C or D). Later, I got an overall B in Chinese in the HKCEE (a Hong Kong public exam after 5 years of secondary education), with As in reading and writing, C in speaking, and E (still a pass) in listening--my grades in different components of the Chinese exam were very uneven. Now, as I'm doing the IB, I have a 7 in Chinese--the highest grade in the system. If it makes a difference, Chinese is my native language.</p>

<p>As for class rank, I was definitely in the top 10% (I was in the top 3-4%, actually) in my previous high school. The F in Chinese speaking in Year 11 was something of an aberration (and actually quite a number of us failed it that year). As for now, my current thigh school does not rank students, so I'm not sure what percentage I'm in, but I'm placed on the Honor Roll. My latest progress report (Year 13) indicates I have 40 points out of 42 (IB, only the 6 subjects without the Extended Essay and ToK).</p>

<p>Now, do you guys think the F in Chinese speaking in Year 11 will have a serious impact on my chances? Thanks!</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>it’s not like you’re majoring in chinese (is what i’m guessing?) so they probably won’t care that much, especially if your grades in other classes are pretty good.</p></li>
<li><p>either way you can’t really do anything about it now…there’s no use worrying about it. so you need to just chill out.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>@theworried
Thanks! Yea I’m majoring in Econ (+Politics/Philosophy), not Chinese…lol
I know there’s nothing I can do about it now, but worrying is sometimes simply irrational! :s</p>

4

<p>Obviously, an F anywhere is somewhat of a negative. However, I wouldn’t think one horrible grade in a course that does not academically correlate to what want to study would be a killer.</p>

<p>Here’s the problem we have in responding – we really don’t know what goes on in the admissions room.</p>