<p>I pretty much dived in my sophomore year
i went from a straight A student to a guy who failed a class and got a C in 2 classes (failed the extra class i took and got a C in 2 AP classes)</p>
<p>and OMG, my AP exam scores SUCK (2 , 1 , 3, 2 ,3)
...i was going through some stuff 0.o</p>
<p>so please please please tell me what i can do to make up for this epic fail of a year and get back to competitive MIT standings!...(one thing i planned to do was take an incredible tough course load junior year)</p>
<p>thank you so much, this forum thread is pretty much my last tie to not crying myself to oblivion
pathetic no?
MIT659n00b is offline</p>
<p>Have tough classes, get great grades in them, and stay committed to your ECs. There’s not much else you can do. In all honesty, I don’t think you will get into MIT if you’ve failed a class - that’s usually a pretty big deal.</p>
<p>right, but i was going through some stuff (although that is not an excuse)
AND
it was an extra class…like i took it independently online after school…so can any mercy be shown there?</p>
<p>I have a similar case, I’m a straight A student, very hard working and dedicated, this year however (my Junior year) things went a bit downhill, I got 2 C’s in classes I normally get A’s in, and got a B in gym! I say find the source of the issue, for me it was a medical condition that made my year pretty rough, and then getting surgery. Are you having too much fun and not studying enough (then put your school work first, then use fun things as a reward), were you just not ready for all those AP’s? (try again this year or move back to just an advanced or faster paced regular class.) You can also take classes over the summer through online programs (this includes AP’s!) Maybe you should try taking a course or two each summer to make up for, and show that hard work and dedication that you have.
Things happen and sometimes you have a bad semester or year, find the source of it and do what you can to fix that, and just keep working hard. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>If you took the class outside of school does it need to be included on your transcript?
As far as whatever was getting in the way of your performance this year, you can address this on the common app. There is an area where you can provide “additional information” that is pertinent. If it was a medical or family issue you can describe the problem succinctly in that space. I would also have your guidance counselor mention this in his/her report.
It will be important to get back on track this year. Stay focused and get your grades as high as they can be. And remember, there are many, many great schools out there. If you could be happy at MIT you could be happy at lots of other schools as well. Don’t get obsessed with one school. Instead try to fall in love with about 8-10 schools with varying levels of selectivity.
Good luck!</p>
<p>My grades and everything went downhill this year as well, also due to personal issues and some other stuff going on. I just hope it goes toward making me more focused next year, but who knows. Like tuftsalum said, one school isn’t everything.</p>