Would getting a low grade in PE decrease my chances of getting into a "top" college?

Applying to College
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<p>Hello, everyone! It's my first time posting in CC, but I've been lurking around this forum for several months now. You don't know how many times I've turned to your website to find answers to my questions about college, usually about admissions.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm a 9th grader studying in a public school in CA. I am never really good in PE--in fact, I am really horrible at it (I guess I was just born physically disinclined). With a lot of effort I managed to get an A in the first semester, resulting in a 4.0 GPA. However as the later units prove to be difficult, I find myself downspiraling to a C (or perhaps even a D because of track, but I don't know yet until I get my progress report card next week). </p>

<p>My best friend and I are both currently at rank 1. Kinda sad because no matter how many make-up sessions I go to I'll probably end up with a C, while she always aces her PE classes like a toddler devours sweets. </p>

<p>I try to make up by doing more extracurricular activities. During my freshman year, I joined the Mock Trial team (as a Prosecutor), Anime Club, and Red Cross. I also got into the SMASH</a> Academy this summer. Next year I'll join more clubs, and possibly sports such as tennis or badminton--that is, if I pass the tryouts (not likely). I've decided to take all the AP classes as well. I was thinking of running for Student Council, but I'm the school wallflower, so no chance. Probably no awesome-type, grand-scale community work either (the kind where you get to help feed families in some remote part of Africa), since my mom doesn't allow me to go beyond a 5-mile radius from her, figuratively speaking. I also got a score of 51 on my AMC10, if that helps at all. =_=</p>

<p>Assuming I get the same "C" grade on the following 2 PE semesters next year, do I still have a chance to get into the most selective colleges such as Harvard, Stanford, or UC Berkeley? Even if I'm not the school's valedictorian, and have a somewhat battered GPA? I know there are other factors; I just want to know whether they would consider me or throw my application away upon first glance of my GPA.</p>

<p>I appreciate your comments and suggestions. :D Thanks for taking the time to read this.</p>

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<p>BTW, the SMASH Academy spans for the next 3 summers, meaning I'm in the program every summer of my high school life; so, I won't be able to do much work in the summer time, either.</p>

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<p>Your school factors PE into your GPA? That's horrendous.</p>

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<p>I doubt that poor grades in PE will hurt you. Many colleges recompute GPA without nonacademic classes like PE, band, art, etc.
To get into Harvard or Stanford you will need amazing ECs. The only student who got into Stanford this year (also in at Harvard) from our school is a top soccer player, had major roles in several theater productions, and is editor of the school paper. Our valedictorian was flat-out rejected.</p>

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<p>while colleges will often recalculate your GPA, they are generally powerless to determine a new class rank, where the gym grade will hurt you.</p>

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<p>Now come on... a "D" in PE? Unless you are at a really evil school, usually a good attitude and effort will earn at least a B. Are you living by your self inflicted label of "physically disinclined" and giving up? Or are you giving it your best shot.</p>

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<p>i got a b- both semesters freshman year because i was sick. killed my class rank</p>

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<p>If you are showing up dressed for PE for every class and are showing effort while participating there is no way you should be getting a D. It's time for your parents to talk to the teacher or administration.</p>

<p>PE is not an A-G requirement for the UCs, so UCBerkeley will not count PE grades (nor do they count class rank). Nor do they count freshman grades. What might come back to bite you is if D is not a passing grade, and your high school requires a passing grade in PE to graduate. I have seen UC admissions revoked when the students failed PE, and then were not able to graduate.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what Stanford or Harvard would think of Cs or Ds in PE. I thought Stanford also did not count freshman grades.</p>

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<p>At my kids' schools you get a 100 in PE if you bring your PE clothes every day. Are they really grading you on your sports ability? If you really think it's unfair you could always ask your mom to talk to the school about the PE grading system.</p>

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<p>It's not time to bring in parents. It's time to not sit around in gym class.</p>

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<p>There is no way a teenage boy/girl should be getting a "D" in PE. I mean, come on! I understand that a good majority on CC, myself included, are pretty nerdy. But seriously. I can run a mile in under eight minutes, do push ups, and other athletic activities. Unless you are severely overweight, you should not be making a "D" in PE. Try harder.</p>

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<p>I get Bs in PE. Screws up my flow...</p>

<p>All As, 1B Dammit!!!</p>

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<p>If PE class is being graded on the basis of athletic ability, this should be brought to the attention of the administration and even the state Dept of Ed. Otherwise, you might talk with your PE teacher about why you got a D. Does he/she think you aren't trying? In both high schools my daughter attended, PE was graded based on attendence and effort. You should check into this at school immediately, and if you don't get results, do get your parents into it.</p>

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<p>Gym teachers are pretty chill. I'd try talking to your coach and explain your situation and see if there is any way to boost your gym grade--this is all hinged on your claim that you try real hard in gym but just don't have the natural ability.</p>

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<p>My d is having a very similiar problem. Straight A student. Dislocated her kneecap 3 months ago in gymnastics. She is now able to attend PE however she is minused 20 pts per week for not being able to fully participate(she is not allowed to run, or do lunges, etc) and sometimes misses class due to a PT Appt(excused absence)....bringing her grade down from an A to a low B. I find this horrible...she has brought a note from her Physical Therapist and still no leeway...she attends a public school in SoCal, she even did extra credit this week and still recieved an 80%. It definitely brings down her GPA, unbelievable!!</p>

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<p>I don't know why we get graded in PE. Just showing up and trying your best should be enough for an A, but noooo.</p>

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<p>hey i am a junior who has gotten all A's with an amalagm of 7 ap's from junior and soph year. This semester i have a C in ceramics 1. lol. I hope i can get it to an A by june.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Straight A student. Dislocated her kneecap 3 months ago in gymnastics. She is now able to attend PE however she is minused 20 pts per week for not being able to fully participate(she is not allowed to run, or do lunges, etc) and sometimes misses class due to a PT Appt(excused absence)....bringing her grade down from an A to a low B.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>From the time your D was injured her doctor should have given her a note, medically excusing her from gym that she could not participate in certain activities for a certain period of time. She should give the note to the chair coordinator of the PE department and a copies should be placed in both her file at the nurses office and with her GC. However your D would still need to show up for gym class and be prepared for gym (the teacher probably would give an alternate assignment). It has been my experience that many medically excused students don't bother showing up for gym or do not bother to get prepared for gym which will result in a failure of the course. In our school there are 2 medically excused codes (medical excused gym does not get a number grade and is not calculated into the gpa); medically excused passing and medically excused failing.</p>

<p>Did she get a medical clearance to participate in gym after healing from her injury?<br>
Did the medical clearance from her doctor have any documented restrictions? If the doctor has stated that your D is fully able to participate in gym and she has not, this will be the main reason for the lowered grade. If your D was under a doctor's care and could not participate, she needs to see her GC who will advocate for having the grade changed/transcript updated. However, the fact still remains, if she is being deducted for points for being unprepared or absence (other than medically excused) then the grade will not change. If the GC is not able to help your D, escalate your situation to the parent coordinator at your school (who is your advocate) and the AP of Guidance/ Pupil Personnel Services.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Straight A student. Dislocated her kneecap 3 months ago in gymnastics. She is now able to attend PE however she is minused 20 pts per week for not being able to fully participate(she is not allowed to run, or do lunges, etc) and sometimes misses class due to a PT Appt(excused absence)....bringing her grade down from an A to a low B.

[/quote]
Same! I had surgery on my shoulder and couldnt really do anything. I was medically excused but I had a B- nonetheless</p>

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<p>Sybbie719: She did have a medical note from her Orthopedist that I gave both to the GC and the PE Teacher...they sent her to the library and she was (EXC) from PE..no grade which was fine. She was then released to go back to PE with restrictions(i.e. no running, lunges, etc.) she shows up, she dresses out, she walks around the track instead of runs, etc. However, she is still deducted 20 points every week for leaving early to go to her Physcial therapist 1x a week. It is a medically excused absence note and all. Her PE Teachers policy is.. excused or not you are deducted 20 points per day!! She did two extra credit reports last week to try and make up the points and still came up with the same grade for the week B-...I will probably schedule an appt this week to talk to the GC again and I had not heard of a parent advocate before so I will also check that out. Thank You.</p>