Should I write about my C in Alg. II?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I was looking at the third prompt of the UC essay (Is there anything you'd like us to know about your academic record..etc?), and one of the ideas the UCs gave for what to write about was "inconsistancies in your academic record."</p>

<p>My weighted culm. GPA is a 4.1, and unweighted is 3.85. My SATs are 800 verbal, 730 writing, and 520 math. (retaking, but don't think I'm going to do amazingly better in math.) I got ELC, so I am in the top 4% of my high school class at a "competitive" school. </p>

<p>Last year, my junior year, I got all As in my APs/Honors classes (and 5's on the AP exams), B both semesters in regular Chemistry, and a C both semesters in Algebra II. I had gotten A-s in math up until these Cs in Algebra II.</p>

<p>There was no "unusual" reason for the Cs other than that I had a hard teacher, and for some reason I found algebra II to be very difficult. I worked really hard, but that's what I got. Instead of taking Trig or no math this year, I am taking AP Statistics and getting a B. </p>

<p>So, should I talk about the C/not amazing math ability in college essays (I hear that college admins will get mad if you don't "explain" a bad grade/weakness) even though there isn't much to say? Or, should I just include in a sentence that I'm simply not a math star, and dedicate that space to writing something positive? I feel that my other qua</p>

<p>Please respond!!! Thanks!!</p>

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<p>They won't get mad at you. Admissions officers don't get mad at you.</p>

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<p>Well, I mean "mad" in the sense that it will count against you in the application process.</p>

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<p>i think you will be okay. Just explain in that box why you got your C's and have a legitimate reason. I mean, as long as you don't put down math as your intended major, i think you will be fine.</p>

5

<p>In what box? So, you mean, I should write about it in one of the short answer responses?</p>

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<p>I don't think 2 Cs are really all that compelling, especially if there is no good story to go with it. Given your Math test score and that you are taking Statistics and not Trig, it just seems that Math is not your subject. Suggest you find another topic unless you can come up with a good story that ends with success/improvement and shows your persistence in the light of subject matter that doesn't come easily to you.</p>

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<p>Personally, i wouldn't mention the C's. Yea, may be able to put across a very convincing reason for why you got them, but many people have probably tried this. </p>

<p>Your personal statement gives you very little space for a lot to say, use that space more wisely and talk about something personal and meaningful to you, showing that you are unique. That would be better than just arguing over your grade.</p>

8

<p>Thank you all for the feedback!</p>