<p>My school works on a trimester schedule, and my first trimester grades is already on my transcript. I didn't do too well during my second marking period due to family issues, which lowered my overall average (and these grades also showed up on my transcript). Schools that run on a trimester schedule can send in the mid-year reports now, and my guidance counselor sent them out last week to all my colleges. </p>
<p>I asked my AP Biology teacher to change my grade because there were some conflicts and grade miscalculations, however, he did not change it on time. My guidance counselor already sent out the mid-year report and he said he cannot redo it. I asked him if I should contact all the schools I applied to and tell them about my situation (the family issues that resulted in my lowered grades) and about the grade changes in my AP Bio class. My guidance counselor responded saying that it might not be a good idea to inform the colleges about this issue because it would draw attention to my lowered grades and why my grades weren't changed on time. I have some different opinions regarding this - wouldn't colleges WANT to know that there was a grade change and about my extenuating family circumstances? Someone please tell me if I should inform the colleges or if I should listen to my guidance counselor. This is bothering me a lot because I'm applying to some competitive colleges and I'm afraid they'll reject me due to my mid-year report and overall grade drop. Thank you.</p>
<p>There’s not enough info in your post to respond intelligently. How significant was your overall grade drop? What grade adjustment are you talking about for Bio? How competitive are the schools?</p>
<p>You could be an Ivy dreamer agonizing over your first two Bs, or your trimester could be filled with C’s and D’s. More info.</p>
<p>The main school I’m worrying about is an Ivy league, I also applied to some top LAC’s. It was pretty significant, I’d say. My first marking period average was 103% weighted, unweighted it would’ve been a 98ish, and it dropped to a 90% for the overall trimester average, which is on my transcript. </p>
<p>The grade my AP bio teacher gave me for the first trimester was an 80, but he changed it to a 90. However, colleges can’t see that now since the mid-year report has already been sent.</p>
<p>How does this trimester compare to your overall percentage? If you’re usually at the “98ish unweighted” level, that 90% trimester will be a big issue for a truly competitive school with or without the Bio adjustment. Assuming that you really do have an explanation that would make sense from an adult perspective, I don’t see what you have to lose by following up with those schools.</p>
<p>By the way, your GC is wrong. If the school corrected your transcript, then it’s his job to send the correct transcript.</p>
<p>My overall GPA is a 4.0, but I don’t wanna give out the specific percentage here. If you want to PM me then I can give you a more in-depth description of my overall GPA and my extenuating family circumstances, and you can interpret the situation on your own and give me some feedback if it would “make sense” from an adult perspective (assuming that you’re an adult).</p>
<p>Your GPA so far is great, but this trimester will certainly raise a flag. On the other hand, top-notch schools are looking for compelling stories, not just great students with killer SATs. If everything else is in order, one B+ trimester won’t necessarily sink you.</p>
<p>Although I’m an adult, I’m certainly no expert. I’d be happy to respond to your PM, but you might receive some better answers if you describe your situation here.</p>
On the other hand, top-notch schools are looking for compelling stories, not just great students with killer SATs. If everything else is in order, one B+ trimester won’t necessarily sink you.</p>