I have gotten straight A’s my entire life, but this semester, I am risking getting an A- in AP English 11.
Will getting an A- effect my chances of getting into a top college??
Yes. It will help you. Given your near-perfect test scores and rock solid ECs, the adcoms will see that you are indeed human. By the way, it is “affect.” Now go back to your English homework!
You really think it will help me?!
One A- won’t make one speck of difference.
Using “effect” in place of “affect” will, however, damage most applications.
I’ve heard spelling errors on the essays don’t effect admission decisions.
I immediately judge formal writing, like a college essay, the second I find any kind of error in it. That means you didn’t care enough to proofread it. But that’s neither here nor there.
The difference between a 3.99 and a 4.00 is negligible. Don’t worry about it and continue to do your best.
Colleges have noted that students who have never been given an opportunity to fail in any way can end up…poorly. Often they have straight As because they have carefully crafted a college resume instead of participating in the high school experience. They often have parents who have helped by doing things like arranging tutors at the first sign of a A- on a worth nothing quiz. They have parents who also arrange for test prep and make sure they are enrolled in just the right summer programs (at high prestige college campuses). Such students often avoid any course that they would not get extra weighted credit for and they avoid any and all academic risks. Their curiosity often spans from none to none. Certain schools will go out of their way to avoid a student with that background because those students are often ill equipped to deal with the challenges that attending a rigorous college presents. And, they have had the academic curiosity sucked out of them. They often lack academic interests-after 12 year s of chasing A’s how and you expect them to have any? Many schools would rather a sprinkling of A-'s and even Bs than a valedictorian who is risk averse.
Did you grow up watching those Disney shows aimed at teens and pre-teens? Ever see one where some uber genius kid gets a 97% and whines and complains b/c his world is ending. And do you remember how everyone rolled their eyes?
This has become you. Don’t be *that kid. * Seriously. If you’re limber enough, dope slap yourself.
@lostaccount: That is a breathtaking comment. Sobering.
I still remember the time I had a student come into my faculty office, say she’d had problems on her recent exam, and then broke into tears because it was the worst grade she’d ever gotten on an assignment.
The grade? A B+. Not a B, a B**+**. She’d never gotten below an A on anything—not just final grades, anything.
Like others (@lostaccount, @T26E4) have said, this is not healthy. Realizing you have limits and then figuring out how to surpass them is useful—but if you never experience your limits, you can’t do that.
Waiting2exhale, many students who attempt suicide or who succeed share the trait of “perfectionism”. Parents who allow their children failure experiences and help them deal adaptively with their angst are doing their kids a big favor.
I know this well, lostaccount. I wish every parent of high-achieving students could read what you wrote, and your followup to me.
I appreciate that you’ve written it here.
Thank you Waiting2exhale. I hope people consider it seriously.
I agree, you will be fine with an A-. Please don’t live your life expecting to be perfect every time, because that is recipe for disappointment and unhappiness. I have yet to meet a perfect person. And keep in mind that even perfect grades, standardized tests etc. do not in any way guarantee admission to a top school so when it comes time to apply to colleges, seek out a range of safety,target and reach schools that appear affordable and that you will be happy to attend.
Dude, you are DOOMED. And this perfomance slacking will haunt you your whole life and impact your offspring for generations to come…
8-|