<p>I've been reading how different schools react to a low grade and I just realized we missed a chance to explain the circumstances around one my son got last year. He had been maintaining a 100 average going into the final of his Calc II class but was sick with a high fever the day of the final. He's at a residental high school across state or we probably would have kept him home that day. He went in and blew the final big time. His grade was so low he received C in the class, the only C he's ever had, and in fact the only grade he's ever had below an A in any math class. The school was sympathetic, but, since he sat for the test, there was nothing that could be done. </p>
<p>He's applied ED to SCS at Carnegie Mellon with otherwise excellent stats, recommendations and such. I don't know if the explanation would make any difference if we had discussed in one of his essays or anywhere on the application, but we didn't even try. </p>
<p>Is there anything we can do at this late date?</p>
<p>I would ask the GC to send this information. If a copy of his grades in this clase could also be inscluded, this might clarify the situation. The school is in a little bit of a hard place here as they are in loco parentis, I believe. Is there a record of your son seeing the nurse?</p>
<p>No, he didn't go to the infirmary. Stubborn male child syndrome, part of thing that prompted him to take 21 hours that semester (it's a dual high school/college enrollment program). We let him face the issue on his how since one C was a relatively cheap price to add a little humility to the mix.</p>
<p>The big issue is that the ED deadline was Nov. 15th and his GC has already sent her stuff in. I was wondering if they'd accept an email from me to add to his application. His GC, Wendy would vouch that he was sick that day, since they spoke immediately afterward.</p>
<p>Best bet is to have the teacher or counselor add it into the recommendation package. Something like, "the C last yr in Math was an anomoly since NAME was sick the day of the final exam...had been maintaining a high avg. otherwise."</p>
<p>Wendy should call or e-mail admissions. Better that she (or the teacher, as irishbird suggests) does than mom. If it were'nt CSC, you could let it ride, but they're soooo picky.</p>
<p>As an observer, it just seems to me they will look at the general picture. For example if child has all A's and one C, I don't think the C will carry much weight. I know this can play havoc with a GPA or class rank but if SAT's in math are strong, why should a C matter to the admissions office?I would explain it if you are wrangling for merit aid. Just my opinion!</p>
<p>bhg - admissions at the CSC is about 10-12% overall their stats are on a par with caltech. Hopefully, if they note the anomoly, they will call Wendy and she will explain.</p>
<p>Woa.....really? Oh, I didn't see that, the special program. Sometimes I miss things, small print, lack of computer skills. Special programs. I'm out of that league. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I also strong urge that the GC or teacher send additional information to explain your S's poor performance on the test and how that affected his grade.</p>
<p>backhandgrip, others, I was less worried about this one grade and saw no reason to say anything about it before I saw some of the articles on college admissions here. After hearing that one student who had been in contention for a very selective scholarship wasn't even accepted at Amherst after someone pointed out he had three B- his sophomore year in high school, I'm more apprehensive and willing to try to deal with it more head on.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Wendy's off until after the holiday, so I'll see what she's willing to do when she gets back.</p>
<p>Time is of the essence here. If you think you could reach Wendy via email over the holiday so that she can call or email the adcom on Monday, that would be great. If not, make sure to try as early as possible on Monday. For CSC, a C in calculus does need explaining.</p>
<p>Well, I emailed Wendy and now my S's just come in from school. This could be interesting. </p>
<p>As far as he's concerned he just took on too many hours and pushed himself so hard that semester he made himself sick. His grade is his grade; he earned it. If CMU doesn't want him over that C, that's fine with him. Oh, well. At least I can be proud he's taking responsiblity for his own actions.</p>
<p>Home again. Yeah, I would follow up. There is incredible competition out there. But the reason I'm posting is, somehow get the message to them how important it is to your son to get into this program . It's your first choice and it matters to him very much. This counts. There was a prestigious college which gave me this message.</p>
<p>Strick,
your son sounds like a fine young man, and I wish you the best of holiday seasons. My son has too many B's, so we'll be sweating over that at some of the RD schools. At least you can see to it that he gets lots of rest over the holiday by serving turkey (the L-trypophane).</p>
<p>Your S is a very admirable young man; obviously not a whiner. But there is a difference between a grade he feels he earned because he took on too many things and made himself sick and a grade that reflects his true understanding of the materials. If adcoms think of this grade as a reflection of his ability and level of preparedness, then it would be totally the wrong impression and it needs to be corrected. I hope he sees the issue in that light.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responsese. I'll talk to my son's GC Monday and see what she thinks. For all I know she's already done something since she was familiar with the situtation. Frankly it's my son's call as to what happens next if she hasn't. </p>
<p>Fortunately he does not look at getting into CMU as a life or death situation. Maybe the problem is that I've taken things too seriously. It helps his attitude that his second choice, where he's virtually assured acceptance, is none too shabby in his field.</p>
<p>Strick,
I can tell your son is a good person. He has a lot of integrity that will carry him along much better and farther than any A or B in a calculus class ever would. Not sure what I'd do in your situation because I can see both sides of this issue. Good luck with whatever you decide, and congratulations on raising such a level-headed kid who wants to accept responsibility... that's what the college in question should know!</p>