Weigh of Grades

<p>Soooo I' think I've probably posted something similar to this before.... But I'm worrying so I'll still post!</p>

<p>My grades last semester were very average(grade average 7,3/10, class grade average 7,1/10) but those grades are the only ones that were bad. They are also only based on our midterms which are like 3 hour tests that count as 35% of our grade for the year and are the only grade we get until June(they don't include any essays, presentations, projects, assignments, evaluations, chapter tests, etc.) I made sure to include this in my application.</p>

<p>But my school is very good. It's technically public but has an acceptance rate of about 35-40% (the next most selective in my country and incoming students have the highest grade average). The average of an incoming student is 9,1/10. Last year my average was 9,3/10 and in the years before that always between 9 and 9,5. My SSAT results were 96% overall and individually in the 90's despite English being my second language. </p>

<p>The reason my grades have dropped is because it almost always happens. The grade transition that I went through this year is a big one where I live, you're changing school systems. All the best schools make the first semester of the first year extra hard in order to sift out those who can't handle it(make them fail and have to transfer or drop out, and yes it's true!). I chose to go to a really hard, challenging school instead of an easy one where I could have continued being best. Now I'm almost regretting that 'cause I'm not sure the schools I'm applying to will see that. </p>

<p>Do you think that the schools will be able to see from my other grades, SSAT scores, rec's(my teachers let me see them and I saw that they mentioned it too) and explanations that I am a good student and if I were at an average school my grades would be way higher?</p>

<p>Note: I'm also a year ahead in school but applying for my real year.</p>

<p>to be perfectly honest, i don’t think they’ll let you off the hook for mediocre grades, but i’m sure they (the adcom) recognize that your school is more competitive than most. just keep in mind that lots of applicants to top schools are in a similar boat (meaning they’re from uber competitive schools), so try not to worry!</p>

<p>for now, there’s nothing you can do but work towards higher grades and keep your fingers crossed for m10! best of luck!</p>

<p>ps, in terms of weight of grades… here’s a rather frightening story: a girl i know quite well (and who i met on CC 2 years ago heh heh) was rejected from exeter for ‘low grades’. she had straight A’s, 1 B, and she went to a very competitive private school. hmm… i’m not sure what that means, and i’m pretty sure that she wasn’t rejected solely based on grades, but that’s pretty scary!</p>