<p>I'm sure variations of this question have been asked before, but here's my situation: for the past 3 years, I've maintained stellar grades in the hardest courses offered by my school, ending up with only one B+ and a 3.960 UW GPA from grades 9-11.</p>
<p>My academic talents lie mainly in the liberal arts (English, History, Language, etc.), so for senior year I decided to challenge myself by taking advanced courses in Math and Physics. Right now, I'm not doing so hot--I've bombed big tests in both Multivariable Calculus and AP Physics C.</p>
<p>I'm applying to HYPS and other schools of the same caliber--and I'm extremely frightened that my lackluster performance in these two classes will ruin the three years of effort I've put into doing well at school! My question is, how much of a 1st quarter senior grade dip will adcoms forgive, considering the fact that these are extremely challenging classes and that my application makes it evident that the hard sciences are not my passion (although I've done well in math and physics classes in previous years)? </p>
<p>I'll be honest--I'm pretty confident about the rest of my application: my EC's, essays, recs and scores are excellent and definitely at or above HYP-level (see my chances thread if you want more details). But these two grades are really worrying me--I'm trying as hard as I can in these classes, but they just aren't my thing...</p>
<p>I'm estimating that my 1st quarter GPA will fall from a 3.96 to somewhere around a 3.80.</p>
<p>Please let me know! I'm seriously considering changing my college list entirely...</p>
<p>I admire the courage to step outside your comfort zone. I bet an interveiwer, GC, or teacher will, too. Just bring it to their attention. It's not the end of the world. Sounds like fodder for great essays and/or recommendations.</p>
<p>don't change your college list. Your list should include safeties anyway, but apply to the top schools. You already have three great years behind you.</p>
<p>Have your GC write or math teacher write a rec stating how you decided to challenge yourself this year, taking courses in areas that are of interest to you (math/science) despite knowing they aren't your strengths (humanities). Are you the type of student who is more interested in learning, than grades? Any other examples of studying something just for enrichment purposes, like non-credit courses or summer classes or independent research? Schools like Brown may consider that a positive. Depends on how you are perceived. Intellectual curiosity is a good thing in higher education.</p>
<p>just want to bring this up again because my case is very similar- 3.94 GPA UW, 4.8 W, only one B during my last three years- but my senior year I'm getting a C in Spanish for first quarter-- I don't know if I should drop it and stick to just my five AP classes, or take the C and bring it up Second quarter.</p>
<p>If you apply RD, you don't have to send your grades until after 2nd marking period so just work hard and show improvement, But I don't think one lower grade will make a big difference. Just to help you guys relax, my son got several unweighted Bs throughout the years (although all were in honors and AP classes). In AP Lit senior year, he received an 80 (we show numeric grades) all 4 qtrs. He was accepted to Yale, Brown and Duke. So, don't obsess over every grade. You don't want your rec writers to describe you as overly concerned about grades.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice everyone! the problem is, my GC already submitted his rec to Commonapp, but maybe I'll ask him to rewrite it if the worst should happen. I'm hoping to work my ass off and pull out a good grade on the two finals, which are my only chance to get A-'s :)</p>