I’m a senior in high school, with a 4.67 G.P.A and rank 3rd in my class. I was blessed to be accepted into Yale early-action but now I’m facing a situation that crushes me. Here’s kind of a long story
For second semester, we only have 3 tests because, for the rest of the year, we are studying for the AP Calculus BC test. Tests in this class have a HUGE impact on your overall grade in the class, and a bigger impact because we don’t have many assignments. During my last test, I ran out of time and guessed on the last problems. The test was short and as I missed these last few problems, I failed. My grade dropped from a B to a D and I’m very crushed right now. My grades throughout high school have been A’s, except for this year in this one class. I got an A- in this class the first semester. The B was only for the second semester, until this test. I am involved in some extracurriculars and my essays were strong.
Will I get rescinded?
Why will your final grade be in this class?
Because my teacher is now only doing AP review, we have no more assignments going in the grade book for Calc this semester. The test I failed brought down my grade in this class from a B to a D. First semester my grade in this class was an A-. My transcript is all A’s except for this one class.
If we get no more assignments, it seems that my final grade in Calc BC will be a D.
Forgive me if I misunderstood your question.
Did you ask your teacher if you could do a retake or do something to make up some points? If not, worth a try a least. that said, I think there is a good chance Yale will work with you if you explain what happened.
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I did. Unfortunately, he is strict about these sorts of things. He said we might possibly do some assignments in the future, but for now, that is not set in stone. Even so, these assignments won’t be enough points to raise my grade.
I cannot imagine you being rescinded for one class with those facts. I imagine your guidance counselor could help advocate for you as well. I would suggest speaking with your teacher first, if you haven’t already. If your other classes remain strong, this should not be a reason to rescind. Good luck to you!
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Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.
You can be proactive and call Yale admissions and ask them. If you wind with a D, they will find out anyway. They can advise you on possible outcomes and solutions. I was at a Stanford open house and someone asked them if they ever rescind for bad grades. The admissions person basically said no, but that they want their freshman to succeed so they may mandate summer school before entering in the fall.
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The OP said the final grade would be a D. With a D, the OP should 100% expect Yale to send a letter asking for an explanation. And if they do not like the explanation, they will rescind or (best case) force a gap year.
The problem will not disappear; OP needs to get the grade up to a C. And how do they need 6 weeks to review for the AP exam with no assessments? Does not make sense.
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Schools rarely rescind unless the high school is advising it.
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Sadly, you are wrong. Colleges do not want to, but they do indeed rescind.
I work with high school students. It’s rare, even for a D. That said, OP should talk to their college counselor.
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You may be correct, and I hope that is the case that we get more assessments. I was basing this on what my teachers did last year due to Covid. I am not sure if it was a school thing, a district thing, or a state thing. I attend a private school. They sent us online practice packets and held Zoom sessions, but they didn’t grade these. Some of my friends’ teachers did for students who were failing, the majority of mine did not. Thus, I can only assume that the same situation will happen this year because we are still currently in a pandemic. I am not sure what my teacher will do, whether he will grade or not. He said possibly adding graded assignments, but that isn’t certain. I can only assume the worst for now so that I can prepare.
You have been accepted, so it isn’t as if Yale is going to care much now about ECs and essays. The bigger concern is the grade.
Make an appointment to meet with your guidance counselor and your teacher ASAP. Ask the guidance counselor to contact Yale on your behalf. Maybe Yale will average the grade for the year, or maybe the GC can find a way for yiu to retake the course at a CC over the summer, or come up with some other plan. Ask the teacher what you can do to bring up the grade. Get a tutor, go to extra help, do everything possible to bring the grade up to a C. The time to act is now.
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Thank you all for your advice. I very much appreciate it.
Have you told your teacher about Yale and begged for an assignment to help out? I can’t believe a teacher would be that strict during senior year and covid not to throw you a bone (give you at least a C!)? I know I would!
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Explain these specific details to Yale.
You are making way too many assumptions for such an important and time-sensitive issue. You need to be proactive and immediately have conversations with the teacher and GC. Good luck.
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Okay by some miracle of God, my teacher curved the test for the class. My grade in now a C+. I called my counselor and we’re working through a plan. Where do I stand now?
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Great news. You only have to worry if your semester grade is a D or F.