<p>Is it a good idea?
I am currently ranked 3rd in my class, but only because the other two students ahead of me are inflating their weighted GPAs by taking classes pass/fail. I realize that this is a very good ranking, but I would still like to improve it. We are only allowed to take one class pass/fail per semester, so the class that I would take pass/fail would be Wind Ensemble (an easy A blow-off class). However, I have heard that colleges look down on this practice and consider the grades in pass/fail classes Cs or Ds. I'm not sure if that is true, though.</p>
<p>Should I take band pass/fail? Or should I just sit back and pray that nobody else takes classes pass/fail and hope that the two people ahead of me get Bs?</p>
<p>I'm sorry if there are any typos; it's late and I'm tired.</p>
<p>I think it depends on why you’re taking that class. Looking at your situation, I don’t think you should do it. I think it may end up looking like you’re taking the easy road.
I’m taking a P/F class but only because I’m forced to in order to complete my IB diploma.</p>
<p>1) They won’t “consider the grades in pass/fail classes Cs or Ds.”</p>
<p>2) There won’t a single college you apply to where your being ranked 3rd will be a deciding factor of your admit/reject. That thin margin of diffence that you suspect lies between you and nos. 1 and 2? It’s not lost on your file readers either. Stop worrying.</p>