I’m an IB sophomore that used to have a perfect GPA up until I had to take APUSH this year. I ended up with a B at the end of my first semester, because I wasn’t able to adapt into the new school policy for every class which consisted of: 60% of your grade for tests, 30% for projects and homework, and 10% for work habits. I had a 100% for the work habits and projects/homework, but a 75% for the tests due to me failing the first out of five assessments (an in-class long essay) we were given throughout all semester. Of course it was my fault, but whatever I did to bring my grade up I still couldn’t bring it back up to an “A.”
However, this semester, the same happened with a 6 question short answer assessment that I got a 30/60 on (each question was 10 points: hit or miss if you mess up something in the slightest). I got my teacher to allow me to retake it, but I got a 0 on the 3 question retake, because she said that even though my evidence and information was correct, my interpretation of the documents given were wrong. Because of this, I’m pretty sure my grade’s going to stay a B for the rest of the semester. I’ve been studying for the AP exam in the past month by reviewing and revisiting my teacher’s class period after school for better understanding, so at least I think I’m ready for the exam next Friday.
Will colleges care if I have a 3.9 in both semesters of my sophomore year? Will they consider a 5 on the final exam to justify the flaws on my transcript? I’ve just had a really hard time this year with the class. My teacher was terrible, the new school policy hasn’t helped me at all, and I’m dumb on the most part so it almost seems impossible for me to get an A in the class when the school year ends in a month and a half.
I’m not sure why you think colleges would “overlook” any AP class that you took. That said, they know APUSH is one of the hardest APs, a B isn’t that bad, and if you do well on the AP exam you can report that AP exam grade. But you need to stop making excuses. There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual or wrong with the grading policy you are complaining about.
Sorry if it seemed as if I was giving off too many excuses, but like I said I know it’s my fault. I was just wondering if my grade would be reflected upon negatively by colleges. Thanks for the response though.
@bobsmith84824 Fun fact: people without 4.0s get into college too! Some even get into Ivy Leagues! Just look at me and the other 94% of my graduating class of 600!
Stop stressing. I had a 3.5 UW all of sophomore following a 3.95 freshman year (the B was in an elective so it’s more like a 4.0) and preceding a 3.83 (4.0 second semester) junior year. I got a B(+) in APUSH first semester junior. The colleges may not have overlooked it, but hey it had no negative effect on me. It’s not like I was rejected from every single school I applied to.
@thisisfine2020 do you mind sharing which colleges you got into? I have a similar situation as OP, B+ in APUSH first semester and same thing right now (idk if I can get it up to an A-)
As others have said, colleges “overlook” nothing. Top colleges routinely reject applicants with 4.0/2400 stats and admit some with lower stats. Additionally, no college is interested in hearing your litany of excuses. There is sooooo much more to a college application than just your grades. Good luck.
I don’t think anything is “overlooked” but one B is not going to prevent your admission to any college. They look at the whole picture, your classes and grades, recommendations, test scores, ECs, your essays, etc. One of my D’s friends is a sophomore at Harvard despite getting a B in Physics. We have friends whose daughter was admitted to 4 Ivy League schools and several other competitive universities with 4 B+s on her transcript and no “hooks.”
A 3.85+ is probably good for most high-tier colleges unless i’m mistaking. If you have decent ECs, a 3.9 probably won’t too different than a 4.0, so I wouldn’t stress about it unless your ECs or anything are bad.
A B in an AP class is worth 3.75 GPA points while an A in a regular class is 4. I wouldn’t be too worried.
@keggin It varies by school. Where I go, a B in a honors or AP class is a 3.5.