<p>I am a high school senior, and I've generally held a B average through my first three years. This fall, I was accepted to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, where I plan to study Wildlife Ecology. I REALLY want to go there for a variety of reasons; primarily because of the high regard UWSP's College of Natural Resources is held in. However, first semester (senior year) I failed Transition to College Math. I will admit that I have fallen into what some call "senioritis" or the "senior slide", but I must also state that there have been numerous problems with the teacher of the class, all of which have been acknowledged by my school counselor, the principal, and other teachers, none of whom like the teacher aforementioned. But whatever the cause, I recieved a 57% in the class for the semester, and failed at all attempts to beg the teacher to let me do something to improve my grade. In addition, I recieved a D in AP European History. I recieved mostly A's and B's otherwise. I had not realized that colleges could rescind acceptances after recieving a final transcript, and I am now terrified that mine will be rescinded. I plan to work very hard second semester and return to my previous standard (A's and B's) or better, but I am extremely worried, and I do not want to be this anxious until June, when I send my final transcript. My counselor told me she has seen three students rescinded after acceptance, but if my memory serves me correctly, at least one was the result of dropping a class, not grades, and at least one other (possibly the other two) were rescinded from UW Lacrosse, which is considerably harder to get into. I would love to know what other members of this forum think; considering my intended field of study (Wildlife Ecology), the school (UW Stevens Point), my previous grades (A's, B's, and a few C's), and the assumption that I recieve much better grades second semester. Additionally, my application boasted an incredibly large amount of extra-curricular activities, volunteer work, and professional work. Also, my counselor had said that if I had been through some personal trial first semester, the problem may be understood by UWSP. There has been such a trial in my family this year, and I believe that this has also affected my academic performance negatively. I mentioned this to my counselor, but she told me she didn't know if I should write the college, because this may cause them to notice my poor grades more than they otherwise would have. I would love to hear opinions on the matter. Thank you very much.</p>
<p>Have you contacted UWSP about the problem with the teacher in question? I think that would be a good idea. I’m not sure how competitive UWSP is; but, based on the “F” and “D”, you might just get rescinded.</p>
<p>If you can make it clear to the university that the poor grades were largely the result of outside influences, and show them in your final semester that you are still a hard worker capable of getting good grades, then I think you can avoid this.</p>
<p>I’ve considered contacting them, but my high school counselor said that that may not be a good idea because it may cause them to examine my grades more closely than they otherwise would have had I not mentioned it, and that they may be more likely to notice the F if I bring it up. Do you think they’ll definitely notice anyway, and that I should write them?</p>