I’m a senior who just finished applying to all of my schools and just starting to wrap up second quarter, but
unfortunately,this last quarter didn’t go the way I planned. I’m taking seven IB Classes and one AP class, and it looks like I’m going to get 3Bs (high 80s) this quarter: IB Psych, Bio, and Physics
IB Physics and IB Bio are simply tough classes in my school, but IB Psych is a joke class in which my teacher gave me an 87 for reasons unknown…
I know these aren’t bad grades, but in the context of top colleges I applied to (Upenn, Dartmouth, NW, Vandy, ect) I was just wondering how this will be viewed considering there are no Bs on my transcript yet. The admissions process is a foreign world to me, so I’m just hoping this slight drop in grades won’t raise any red flags in my application.
Thanks for taking the time to help an overly paranoid senior!
I believe these grades will be evaluated in the context of your entire secondary school transcript; HOWEVER, they will have an adverse influence (probably slight) on your admissions probability. Here’s why:
After ED, how many RD candidates are vying for how many spots in these universities’ Class of 2019?
What percentage of RD applicants will be admitted (10 percent is a reasonable rough estimate)?
How many of them individuals have essentially similar (equally excellent) aggregate performance records?
What are their senior year grade trend-lines and how do they compare to yours?
I’m not trying to be negative – and I believe you may have a good shot (you didn’t provide much information . . . and you really do not need to) – but realism is also essential.
My D is in the same situation- 2 Bs- which is her worst semester in her entire HS career. She took two upper level courses with two very tough instructors and she thought she could rise to the challenge but got burned. It’s not a good time to take risks but she was very interested in these subjects so I’m bummed for her. (and sorry for you as well…Students should be commended for taking a rigorous load as that’s how we grow and what the colleges are encouraging.)
Unfortunately I think it will influence the outcome for you. It already did adversely effect her admissions result, and sadly will probably continue to do so.
Hopefully there are a few AdComs out there who will really study the transcript carefully and take note of the context. Good Luck!
Lol colleges actually prefer an A in easier classes and if a student is taking a lot of rigorous courses they can afford to skip out on 1 or 2 challenging subjects; what I should have done.
@Scioly1997: The mantra for the highly- and most-selective undergraduate programs seem to be, challenge yourself by undertaking the most rigorous curriculum available at your secondary school. As @"Erin’s Dad" points out, your claim (in post #6) appears contrary to this widely accepted guidance. I, too, would be interested in some background information and documentation.
depends on the level of coursework/schools.
but say you’ve taken 10 ap exams by the end of your junior year. wouldn’t you agree it woudl be better to have 1 less ap course if it meant that owuld get rid of your only B?
That’s mostly my personal example.
I guess if your school has only 3 ap courses, or does a weighted system, you should probably take the harder course.
@Scioly1997: With respect, I really would not agree. It is my opinion that at the most-selective LACs and National Research Universities – which, after all, are the institutions where this sort of discussion has particular relevance – admissions organizations view course rigor and resulting grades in context. I don’t believe a “formalistic” approach is used for clearly competitive candidates. Therefore, under these circumstances a B may be of little consequence.
Hopefully not too late of a reply…if you could send your third quarter grades to colleges perhaps that could help? Especially if you do much better third quarter? (Although your second quarter seems to end pretty late, mine ended in December). Ask an admissions officer about this!
Doesn’t the third academic quarter normally end in late-March/early-April (school district dependent)? Aren’t most RD admissions decisions rendered around 1 April. Given some days of “administrative/logistical lead-time” is necessary, I suggest third quarter grades will quite likely be too late to be assessed (however, if waitlisted, they might be worth submitting?).