DC is getting a C+ in Advanced Calculus

[Anonymous]

DC is a rising senior (finishing junior right now). Rigorous private high school. Recovering a lot of points towards the end but just not enough. What is a realistic outlook on college application? Focusing on T40-60? Is that realistic? For context, B+ to A are considered good grades in DC’s school. DC gets mostly As in other courses, nothing below B+. Won’t major in math or engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is a rising senior (finishing junior right now). Rigorous private high school. Recovering a lot of points towards the end but just not enough. What is a realistic outlook on college application? Focusing on T40-60? Is that realistic? For context, B+ to A are considered good grades in DC’s school. DC gets mostly As in other courses, nothing below B+. Won’t major in math or engineering.

DC will need a decent amount of safeties.

[Anonymous]

Have him retake it and get a tutor.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of schools that will take him. Relax

[Anonymous]

This is such a sad statement of the world today (I'm not blaming you - I feel awful for you). One bad grade should not ruin a kid. I'm pretty sure I had multiple final grades of B or so (but still finished in the top few % of my class at a good public HS) and got into multiple Ivy+ schools in the 90s. A's weren't handed out like candy and any SAT score over 1400 was great. The process is just so awful. But I don't know the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such a sad statement of the world today (I'm not blaming you - I feel awful for you). One bad grade should not ruin a kid. I'm pretty sure I had multiple final grades of B or so (but still finished in the top few % of my class at a good public HS) and got into multiple Ivy+ schools in the 90s. A's weren't handed out like candy and any SAT score over 1400 was great. The process is just so awful. But I don't know the answer.

This isn't the 90s.

In the era of grade inflation, a C+ might as well be a D. Now, if the OP isn't obsessed with T10 schools like most DCUMers and puts a reasonable college list together, he/she will avoid some admissions pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a sad statement of the world today (I'm not blaming you - I feel awful for you). One bad grade should not ruin a kid. I'm pretty sure I had multiple final grades of B or so (but still finished in the top few % of my class at a good public HS) and got into multiple Ivy+ schools in the 90s. A's weren't handed out like candy and any SAT score over 1400 was great. The process is just so awful. But I don't know the answer.

This isn't the 90s.

In the era of grade inflation, a C+ might as well be a D. Now, if the OP isn't obsessed with T10 schools like most DCUMers and puts a reasonable college list together, he/she will avoid some admissions pain.

I'm not saying it is the 90s. I'm just venting as to how awful things are. The kid is taking advanced calc as a junior. Pretty impressive. But one screw up and that's it. As you noted, there are lots of great schools out there and I'm sure DC will get into one. But it is a shame. That is all.

[Anonymous]

Did something happen in the last quarter or has he struggled all year?

[Anonymous]

Math major, but what about other STEM major? Further the major is from having to excel in math, further it won't matter if the rest of app is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is a rising senior (finishing junior right now). Rigorous private high school. Recovering a lot of points towards the end but just not enough. What is a realistic outlook on college application? Focusing on T40-60? Is that realistic? For context, B+ to A are considered good grades in DC’s school. DC gets mostly As in other courses, nothing below B+. Won’t major in math or engineering.

Genuinely curious how this works. What is possible other than a retake of the last exam?

[Anonymous]

Boy? I think if it’s a school that needs boys, which is many of them, it won’t be a problem. This is based on my experience with my son.

[Anonymous]

Focus on SLAC
Top 40-60 is still doable

[Anonymous]

My kid in a public school got a C in AP Calculus BC and got into GW's Elliott School of International Affairs, which is ranked top 10 for that major, with merit, and was allowed to skip an intro math class. He had a 35 out of 36 on his ACT, and a stellar academic profile in the Humanities, including Latin.

Admission might depend on your child's chosen major, OP, and also on his SAT/ACT. He needs to get a great score on the math section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such a sad statement of the world today (I'm not blaming you - I feel awful for you). One bad grade should not ruin a kid. I'm pretty sure I had multiple final grades of B or so (but still finished in the top few % of my class at a good public HS) and got into multiple Ivy+ schools in the 90s. A's weren't handed out like candy and any SAT score over 1400 was great. The process is just so awful. But I don't know the answer.

Not going to a top 30 college is not being "ruined."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a sad statement of the world today (I'm not blaming you - I feel awful for you). One bad grade should not ruin a kid. I'm pretty sure I had multiple final grades of B or so (but still finished in the top few % of my class at a good public HS) and got into multiple Ivy+ schools in the 90s. A's weren't handed out like candy and any SAT score over 1400 was great. The process is just so awful. But I don't know the answer.

This isn't the 90s.

In the era of grade inflation, a C+ might as well be a D. Now, if the OP isn't obsessed with T10 schools like most DCUMers and puts a reasonable college list together, he/she will avoid some admissions pain.

I'm not saying it is the 90s. I'm just venting as to how awful things are. The kid is taking advanced calc as a junior. Pretty impressive. But one screw up and that's it. As you noted, there are lots of great schools out there and I'm sure DC will get into one. But it is a shame. That is all.

Why is it a shame if a kid gets into one of those other great schools?

Seriously, what is wrong with you people? "There's lots of great schools out there, too bad kids have to go to them?" WTF?