<p>I've been skipping a lot of school lately because I really just don't feel like going. It's pointless these days with AP exams and school closing in a few weeks. How many absences is considered questionable by top colleges? Oh I'm a sophomore.</p>
<p>Well in my school, absents don’t go on the transcript if they’re excused. Just have your parent sign a note giving a “reason” and they will not count it. At least that’s how we do it. I was absent more than 7 times but only 2 were counted. </p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6400L using CC</p>
<p>Whatever number you have taken is about right . You are obviously not really interested in top schools . Just remember some people are working hard now ,even as a Sophomore .</p>
<p>Yea same way in my school but my question is, is when colleges see your transcript and they see the amount of absences recorded, how many would be too much? How many would question admission?</p>
<p>How about you just go to school? Then you won’t have to worry about it.</p>
<p>“Not feeling like going” isn’t a very valid excuse.</p>
<p>Um, excuse me? @fauxmaven: I’m taking a total of 10 AP exams and 6 IB exams (getting the IB diploma) by the time I graduate. I have a 3.72 GPA (with 4 AP classes so far), and you’re telling me that I’m not into top colleges? </p>
<p>I go to an extremely rigorous high school that is nationally ranked. Just because I’ve missed about 2-3 Chemistry Honors, AP Calculus AB, and AP US Government classes that does not mean I’m not into getting into top colleges.</p>
<p>Don’t judge.</p>
<p>Okay, maybe I made it seem like I’ve been missing weeks of school. It’s only been 3 classes max…</p>
<p>I am not judging you - I am trying to help you realize that many applicants have a different outlook than you . My D is at H and my H went to H ,and they work really hard and have a good work ethic . Many smart people don’t get into H ,so I am pointing out something that may be a factor .</p>
<p>If you are so confident that you will go to a top school, why are you questioning the number of days you didn’t go to school ?</p>
<p>I just had a simple question. But of course it has to turn into a huge discussion on CC. </p>
<p>@fauxmaven: I didn’t realize you’re a parent, so my apologies there. I’m sorry that I made it seem that I’m not a high achieving, determined applicant. I’m worn out and stressed. In all honesty, the 3 times I’ve skipped AP Calc is to go to a different classroom to study for AP Gov since all we were doing was watching movies in calc. I didn’t see the need in explaining all of this in my OP since I just wanted a simple answer to my simple question. I understand that there are many other applicants who are more hard working than I am, and those are the ones looking at Harvard. I’m not anymore since my GPA got screwed over by AP Physics. Granted, Duke is a top college, but it is also my reach. </p>
<p>I’m sorry that I made it seem that I’m a lazy, non-caring student.</p>
<p>By the way, I am not confident I’m going to a top school, but I am trying.</p>
<p>I wish you the best on your college applications . If you ever have a question I can answer for you ,you can send me a PM . I had surgery recently , and can’t do much ,so I have more free time than most people . I realize college is a couple of years away ,but a question or 2 is fine .</p>
<p>I’m almost certain if your grades are fine, then the amount of absences you have is fine (unless you’re ditching/skipping every other day…). My friend (senior) has over 100 absences from each period, making it about 33 days he’s missed, and that’s not counting testing, sports, and academic absences. But he hasn’t gotten into trouble (his grades aren’t that great though…went from straight As to some Bs), and Rice University hasn’t rescinded their offer. </p>
<p>tl;dr, you’re fine. As long as its not too big a habit and you are doing something when you skip…</p>
<p>Simple explanation is don’t skip. You’re a sophomore - where are you going? In most states, sophomores can’t even drive. Sophomores here who can’t drive and skip stay in the bathroom for an hour and a half - I’d rather be in class.</p>
<p>But I really don’t think absences are a major, or minor, part of any admission decision, and if you do/don’t get into a top school, absences will probably not be what did you in. Obviously, if you have like 30+ absences and an A in the class, the legitimacy of your schools curriculum will be questioned…</p>
<p>Edit: or not, according to the post above me. But if I was an Adcom and saw that, I would think twice about it.</p>
<p>At my school we’re allowed two before detention, so at my school two which basically means everyone has to go in sick. Half the school got whooping cough this year.</p>
<p>To clarify the example senior I gave, almost all 100 absences are “excused absences” where he got parental excuse. And our school doesn’t show absences on transcript.</p>
<p>I’ve only skipped three times, so I’m guessing (let’s just say… hypothetically), 5-6 absences doesn’t look bad on a transcript? </p>
<p>I go to another teacher’s classroom to study when I skip.</p>
<p>Oh…no…stop worrying about that, lol. Anything under like 20 is hardly anything worth worrying about. When I think of “skipping a lot” I think of gone more than you’re there…</p>
<p>5-6 unexcused absences I mean.</p>
<p>That’s completely hypothetically. As of right now, I think I have no more than 3 unexcused absences, but I’m checking with the office tomorrow.</p>
<p>Yeah…you’re fine. Just don’t make it into a habit because by senior year you’ll be having to resist the urges to skip.</p>