Importance of 9th grade for colleges

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher. I've written lots of college recommendations and seen lots of transcripts as a part of that process. Generally, students with a few Cs in 9th grade don't then become straight A students with superstar board scores in their upperclass years. Just because I have not seen that doesn't mean it can't happen. What I have seen more frequently is students with a sprinkling of Cs freshman year turn into good, strong B+/A-/A students once they "figure it out." They've gotten into some great schools, too. And they often graduate high school with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and a conviction that they can surmount obstacles.

As others have said, if you define the Ivys as the only "great schools" out there, you risk being disappointed even if the student has been getting As throughout high school.

[Anonymous]

Unless you have actually sat on a college admissions team and are privy to their decision making process, how can anyone be absolutely sure what formula is used who gets in and who doesn't?

I have read numerous admission personnel on College Confidential state emphatically that just because you get all As and perfect test scores in no way guarantees admission. There is so much more and the personal essays carry substantial weight in letting them know who the applicant is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have actually sat on a college admissions team and are privy to their decision making process, how can anyone be absolutely sure what formula is used who gets in and who doesn't?

I have read numerous admission personnel on College Confidential state emphatically that just because you get all As and perfect test scores in no way guarantees admission. There is so much more and the personal essays carry substantial weight in letting them know who the applicant is.

PP again. One comment that comes to mind from an admissions person who stated they take some perfect grades/scorers, some athletes/musicians, and a group that while not exactly like the other groups has something to offer the university in their own indomitable spirit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have actually sat on a college admissions team and are privy to their decision making process, how can anyone be absolutely sure what formula is used who gets in and who doesn't?

I have read numerous admission personnel on College Confidential state emphatically that just because you get all As and perfect test scores in no way guarantees admission. There is so much more and the personal essays carry substantial weight in letting them know who the applicant is.

no, but it gives you a lot better chance than getting Cs

[Anonymous]

^^^One C in 9th grade is not a death sentence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was your niece a legacy? She sounds very talented, but that sometimes can help as well. Congratulations in any case.

No legacy, no money, no melanin. Talent only. It does help sometimes.

"No melanin". Love your sense of humor! (seriously). The languages is impressive. I couldn't even master Spanish. And Farsi!

[Anonymous]

NP. It's all cumulative for the four years in FCPS so every grade counted. The college or university won't even get to your record to see if you ascended or descended in grades until your cumulative is good. The applications go in a file and the GPA and School go on the front (because an A from one school is not an A at another school) and the SAT or the ACT score. That's it. At most SLACs, your file will get 6 minutes review, top - that's if they even open the file. So you have to have a strong cumulative (which means keep those 9th grades up!) to get the admissions officers to even open the file. only then will they note if Johnny's grades improved over the four years or went down. Our DC's grades went on a gradual descent over the 4 years due to SN issues, but because DC started strong, was able to do well in college placement.

I do know of one young man who did not get into Annapolis due to a C in freshman year band. He had to go with ROTC at USC but his dad, a naval officer was devastated.

[Anonymous]

Here are some words of wisdom from admissions from USC as posted in a CC forum.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1558825-what-my-chances-usc-final-answer.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. It's all cumulative for the four years in FCPS so every grade counted. The college or university won't even get to your record to see if you ascended or descended in grades until your cumulative is good. The applications go in a file and the GPA and School go on the front (because an A from one school is not an A at another school) and the SAT or the ACT score. That's it. At most SLACs, your file will get 6 minutes review, top - that's if they even open the file. So you have to have a strong cumulative (which means keep those 9th grades up!) to get the admissions officers to even open the file. only then will they note if Johnny's grades improved over the four years or went down. Our DC's grades went on a gradual descent over the 4 years due to SN issues, but because DC started strong, was able to do well in college placement.

I do know of one young man who did not get into Annapolis due to a C in freshman year band. He had to go with ROTC at USC but his dad, a naval officer was devastated.

What a joke. If he didn't get in because he didn't have an aptitude on the tuba but mastery in chemistry than I'd say good riddance to Annapolis. USC is no slouch school so he should do well there and move on to a good life.

Though, I do feel for dad who wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. This should be a real eye opener for him and everyone else what Annapolis considers important. I could see if it were a C in chemistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have actually sat on a college admissions team and are privy to their decision making process, how can anyone be absolutely sure what formula is used who gets in and who doesn't?

I have read numerous admission personnel on College Confidential state emphatically that just because you get all As and perfect test scores in no way guarantees admission. There is so much more and the personal essays carry substantial weight in letting them know who the applicant is.

I've posted this story on NPR before which gives an insider look at the admissions process to Amherst and how the committee agonizes over their admission decisions. In my view, for the top schools it is a crapshoot in many ways. Straight A's guarantees nothing. Maybe this will help put things into perspective.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134916924/Amherst-Admissions-Process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've posted this story on NPR before which gives an insider look at the admissions process to Amherst and how the committee agonizes over their admission decisions. In my view, for the top schools it is a crapshoot in many ways. Straight A's guarantees nothing. Maybe this will help put things into perspective.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134916924/Amherst-Admissions-Process

Interesting read. Thanks for posting. I recently read the book "Blindspot" (about confronting and combating the unconscious biases we all carry), and this report provides a perfect example of how those biases can have major impacts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are some words of wisdom from admissions from USC as posted in a CC forum.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1558825-what-my-chances-usc-final-answer.html

Thanks for posting. I found this part really interesting ...

* But... my dad went to USC! or But... my six uncles all met their wives at USC! or But... the last four generations of my family went to USC! Will being a legacy help?

No. Legacy status is no longer considered by the admissions committee.

*What?! Wait! 20% of USC's admitted freshmen are legacies? It's gotta help! Right?

Not really. While ~600 freshmen sounds like a big number (approx. legacy students who attend), of the 47,000+ applicants to USC last year, a significant portion were legacies. The admitted legacies possess the same stellar qualifications listed in the first post, in addition to being legacy candidates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some words of wisdom from admissions from USC as posted in a CC forum.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1558825-what-my-chances-usc-final-answer.html

Thanks for posting. I found this part really interesting ...

* But... my dad went to USC! or But... my six uncles all met their wives at USC! or But... the last four generations of my family went to USC! Will being a legacy help?

No. Legacy status is no longer considered by the admissions committee.

*What?! Wait! 20% of USC's admitted freshmen are legacies? It's gotta help! Right?

Not really. While ~600 freshmen sounds like a big number (approx. legacy students who attend), of the 47,000+ applicants to USC last year, a significant portion were legacies. The admitted legacies possess the same stellar qualifications listed in the first post, in addition to being legacy candidates.

It's almost scary how much power these admission committees possess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher. I've written lots of college recommendations and seen lots of transcripts as a part of that process. Generally, students with a few Cs in 9th grade don't then become straight A students with superstar board scores in their upperclass years. Just because I have not seen that doesn't mean it can't happen. What I have seen more frequently is students with a sprinkling of Cs freshman year turn into good, strong B+/A-/A students once they "figure it out." They've gotten into some great schools, too. And they often graduate high school with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and a conviction that they can surmount obstacles.

As others have said, if you define the Ivys as the only "great schools" out there, you risk being disappointed even if the student has been getting As throughout high school.

Great post, thank you.