Is it possible to get into top 40 school with some Bs as final grades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he can "turn it around" by nailing an A in the same topic in a future semester, yes. It demonstrates resilience and a willingness and ability to buckle down, and could even become an essay example.

My DD had a similar situation, and got into multiple top 20 schools. She's since transferred from the one she initially chose, where she had a 3.8 freshman year.

?? ED and EA application to go in this November. The grade is not going to be “erased” by a higher grade in the subject “next time”.

FWIW, I think writing a college essay about why you got a B- and then improved is a terrible idea. It is not that interesting, feels obsessive, and not compelling. Essays should focus on an interest or passion. Don’t make the passion GPA.

Lol no one was suggesting that he write about it.

A poster earlier in this thread had suggested it. But I agree – most think it’s a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

My jr also got a B- in AP physics. A bummer because he never should have taken the class and should have taken honors and called it a day and likely done well - not applying as a stem major. Also has 2 B pluses jr year in AP Eng and precalc.

Looking at schools mostly around the 35 mark and lower, mostly SLACs.

[Anonymous]

A B- in AP Physics junior year isn't quite a kiss of death at the schools you mentioned if your son is applying as a prospective humanities major, but it definitely makes an unlikely path even less likely. Think about it this way: More kids with perfect transcripts get rejected by both ND and BC than get accepted by either. You and your DC always should have been focused on finding good fits among the Marquettes and Daytons of the world; now, you really should be. And guess what? They're great. Just like JMU is a terrific, accessible in-state alternative to UVA. It's the "top 40" mindset that's the biggest problem here, not the B-.

[Anonymous]

No way. You are doomed.

[Anonymous]

It is possible, but should expand search to other schools that are a good fit. Try not to get fixated on certain schools.

My son goes to Cornell and got a B- sophomore year of high school in honors Chemistry. The grade was a bit of an outlier. But, he is in a specific program at Cornell that he was a great fit for (and has nothing to do with chemistry).

[Anonymous]

If you're full pay, sure!

[Anonymous]

Does he have any “hooks”? I’m assuming you will be full-pay. Intended major? My NoVA son had an unusual intended major that got him into pretty much everywhere (2021, I know it’s way tougher just two years on). You can check some Common Data Sets to see who graduates with what major to infer what departments need students.

Heck, even Oxbridge publish their admissions data on studying Anglo—Saxon\Norse, for example, and you can see they admit a significant # of applicants. Some students play this game I which they major in something first year and then change their majors. Got to be sure this is allowed when you apply but to me it beats transferring!

Call me cynical but if you have some good certs on your resume with meaty internships, the major isn’t as important. It’s the paper itself.


If he’s interested in business, Indiana Kelley is very popular with privates. Strong program with excellent placement.
If engineering, maybe look at smaller schools with more intimate environments?
Echoing PP’s post about doing ED@ W&Mfor a male applicant. Very smart strategy.

[Anonymous]

Parent of a 2023 HS graduate from a public "W" high school known for grade inflation. When DC applied to colleges, they had 3 semester B's all from junior year - two in AP Spanish (the year prior of all online learning did a number on their language skills) and one in AP BC calculus (horrible teacher although other kids got As so not blaming the teacher). DC had taken the highest rigor in their classes and had a 36 ACT, average ECs (varsity sport team captain but wasn't being recruited, some clubs and volunteering). DC was rejected from Penn (ED) and accepted at Wash U (ED2). We suspect the Bs knocked out DC from consideration at most ivies (except Cornell) and would have been okay for colleges like Wash U and Rice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he have any “hooks”? I’m assuming you will be full-pay. Intended major? My NoVA son had an unusual intended major that got him into pretty much everywhere (2021, I know it’s way tougher just two years on). You can check some Common Data Sets to see who graduates with what major to infer what departments need students.

Heck, even Oxbridge publish their admissions data on studying Anglo—Saxon\Norse, for example, and you can see they admit a significant # of applicants. Some students play this game I which they major in something first year and then change their majors. Got to be sure this is allowed when you apply but to me it beats transferring!

Call me cynical but if you have some good certs on your resume with meaty internships, the major isn’t as important. It’s the paper itself.


If he’s interested in business, Indiana Kelley is very popular with privates. Strong program with excellent placement.
If engineering, maybe look at smaller schools with more intimate environments?
Echoing PP’s post about doing ED@ W&Mfor a male applicant. Very smart strategy.

but you can't play that game at Oxbridge, only in the States

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ND and UVA are probably unlikely. But that's not a ding against your kid. They're SO hard to get into. I know plenty of kids with "perfect" transcripts who got rejected. It's just the way it is right now.

There are sooooo many other wonderful colleges. Encourage him to look broadly.

UVA has 30 percent acceptance this year. Stop stressing this parent out. Your son will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he have any “hooks”? I’m assuming you will be full-pay. Intended major? My NoVA son had an unusual intended major that got him into pretty much everywhere (2021, I know it’s way tougher just two years on). You can check some Common Data Sets to see who graduates with what major to infer what departments need students.

Heck, even Oxbridge publish their admissions data on studying Anglo—Saxon\Norse, for example, and you can see they admit a significant # of applicants. Some students play this game I which they major in something first year and then change their majors. Got to be sure this is allowed when you apply but to me it beats transferring!

Call me cynical but if you have some good certs on your resume with meaty internships, the major isn’t as important. It’s the paper itself.


If he’s interested in business, Indiana Kelley is very popular with privates. Strong program with excellent placement.
If engineering, maybe look at smaller schools with more intimate environments?
Echoing PP’s post about doing ED@ W&Mfor a male applicant. Very smart strategy.

but you can't play that game at Oxbridge, only in the States

I know that, just making a point about undersubscribed courses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. Private school. And B- in AP Physics. I know this is a stressful time for our kids, but wow, this is super stressful for parents too.

It looks like my son is getting a B- in APUSH (missing a B by literally 0.13 points) so I feel your pain. They'll be okay.

Have your kid email teacher and ask to do some EC to raise that grade. Can’t hurt with it being so close!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he have any “hooks”? I’m assuming you will be full-pay. Intended major? My NoVA son had an unusual intended major that got him into pretty much everywhere (2021, I know it’s way tougher just two years on). You can check some Common Data Sets to see who graduates with what major to infer what departments need students.

Heck, even Oxbridge publish their admissions data on studying Anglo—Saxon\Norse, for example, and you can see they admit a significant # of applicants. Some students play this game I which they major in something first year and then change their majors. Got to be sure this is allowed when you apply but to me it beats transferring!

Call me cynical but if you have some good certs on your resume with meaty internships, the major isn’t as important. It’s the paper itself.


If he’s interested in business, Indiana Kelley is very popular with privates. Strong program with excellent placement.
If engineering, maybe look at smaller schools with more intimate environments?
Echoing PP’s post about doing ED@ W&Mfor a male applicant. Very smart strategy.

Quite a few schools don't admit by major, so this strategy won't work for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your replies. Private school. And B- in AP Physics. I know this is a stressful time for our kids, but wow, this is super stressful for parents too.

It looks like my son is getting a B- in APUSH (missing a B by literally 0.13 points) so I feel your pain. They'll be okay.

Have your kid email teacher and ask to do some EC to raise that grade. Can’t hurt with it being so close!

He did and is waiting to hear back. Fingers crossed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he can "turn it around" by nailing an A in the same topic in a future semester, yes. It demonstrates resilience and a willingness and ability to buckle down, and could even become an essay example.

My DD had a similar situation, and got into multiple top 20 schools. She's since transferred from the one she initially chose, where she had a 3.8 freshman year.

?? ED and EA application to go in this November. The grade is not going to be “erased” by a higher grade in the subject “next time”.

If only ED/EA then you can't demonstrate that change...yet. Believe it or not, though, there is always the opportunity to add to an application. MY DD did exactly this between the application and decision date on specifically this topic. Through the school's portal she had an update link and sent it through when the new grade came.