What grades do I need to get my offer revoked??

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JacksDAChen

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Jan 11, 2020
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I recently finished my midterm exams. I take 5 AP classes so I wasn't expecting straight As but 2 of my AP classes, I have a B+ for my first semester grade. (87 and 88).
Are these grades going to concern the admissions team? As I normally rarely get Bs so will they think because I suddenly got them this year that I am no longer trying?? (I AM STILL TRYING THOUGH! It's just difficult to balance so many APs, sports, extracurriculars, etc.)
 
If those were your midterm grades, do this: Crank up your efforts, visit office hours, seek tutoring, do what it takes to turn the B into an A. And if you’re worried about academic performance amid other interests, ask yourself what’s more important. Take charge, take control, take responsibility.
 
Ehh, don’t underestimate the amount of pressure these kids apply to themselves. They don’t have much in their rear view mirror to draw upon. My DS made his first B in AP Spanish 5. He was legitimately concerned that grade could impact his chances of gaining an appointment. I thought he was playing with me until I figured out he wasn’t. He was dead serious. Hopefully he believed me when I told him he did not need to worry much on that front.
 
DS received his first C of his life this last semester at USNA, and he was GRATEFUL for it. He was a solid A/B student thus far. He had THAT class, with THAT professor. And he survived. Had to get creative in how to manage it, but did it.

He learned a lot about himself. And how to ask/get help. A great learning experience!
 
That is the other thing...getting a lower grade in high school may prepare these applicants for the horror of getting a 'C' and being thankful NEXT SEMESTER AT USMA. (Not that there aren't straight A students--someone has to be at the top of the class...but a 'C' is ok--and then there are plenty of people striving for the 2.0 and go...I have had one of each...the secret is "Chin Up, Press On!"
Good luck kid.
 
justdoit19 said:
DS received his first C of his life this last semester at USNA, and he was GRATEFUL for it.
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> I probably told this story here before...but the father of one of my Candidates sent me and another local grad an email telling me that his Plebe son was done about having C in Chemistry at midterm, and asking us if we could send him and message encouraging him. (The father was another local attorney whom I know fairly well..otherwised he wouldn't have asked). Both of us responded with almost the same message, that we would have been thrilled with a midterm C in Chemistry as a Plebe. (By the way, the Plebe is now an MD - you don't need to worry about USNA grades impacting grad schools admissions !)
 
#3 Son kept meeting Old Grads who said, "I did not earn above a C for the first two years." They grew up to graduate--and become senior leaders and well-rounded, successful individuals.
 
Mine managed a B in plebe chem....might have been a low A actually. But youngster Calc with a difficult professor is what got him! My point is that these superstars in high school will more than likely get a C at some point in their college careers.

I thought it was 'kinda funny for him. And a couple of his buddies ended up going back early from break...if 'ya know what I mean!
 
Snoopy said:
Sounds to me like humble brag.
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not trying to brag. like what others have said, i face immense pressures from my parents and others and i am often told i am not good enough and that has put me in a state of constant worry. west point has been my dream for many years now and i do not want anything to mess that up. i hope you and everyone else realizes that before making assumptions in the future.
 
JacksDAChen said:
not trying to brag. like what others have said, i face immense pressures from my parents and others and i am often told i am not good enough and that has put me in a state of constant worry. west point has been my dream for many years now and i do not want anything to mess that up. i hope you and everyone else realizes that before making assumptions in the future.
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Well then let me put your mind to ease - I don't normally post any of my kid's stats, but will to ease your mind. He has FOUR B's on his transcript(1 in 8th grade, 1 in 9th grade, and 2 in 10th grade); a 3.8 unweighted/4.4 weighted gpa. He received his 3Q letter from West Point in September. No worries; you are solid.
 
JacksDAChen said:
not trying to brag. like what others have said, i face immense pressures from my parents and others and i am often told i am not good enough and that has put me in a state of constant worry. west point has been my dream for many years now and i do not want anything to mess that up. i hope you and everyone else realizes that before making assumptions in the future.
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Disconcerting to hear that "you" are not good enough. Grades may not be good enough, PT might not be good enough, etc. All those things are qualifiers but there is more to YOU than numbers on a page. Keep in mind that even when all things seems to align for candidates (near perfect test scores, all A's, captain of teams, etc)....sometimes, it's not enough to get that appointment or scholarship. In the end, all you can do is do the best you know how, with skills, tools and resources you have available. Lastly, remember that sometimes prayers are not answered for a reason. Perhaps there's a better path for you. Be open to all possibilities.
 
JacksDAChen said:
not trying to brag. like what others have said, i face immense pressures from my parents and others and i am often told i am not good enough and that has put me in a state of constant worry. west point has been my dream for many years now and i do not want anything to mess that up. i hope you and everyone else realizes that before making assumptions in the future.
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Please don't worry so much. When my DD was a freshman in hs, during a conference with our principal she stated she wanted to be the first student from our hs to graduate with a perfect 4.0. He turned to her and said, "No! Don't try to do that. You will sacrifice all your free time and drive yourself crazy. You have a great love for your sport and a wonderful life outside of hs, don't waste those things for perfect grades."

She lives by those words.

She went on to excel in her sport- top in the NATION. Internationally competitive. She still maintains a 3.73 GPA. A few B's. She has learned to manage her time and not to freak when that paper gets a "D". My husband and I have never said a word to her about grades since that day. Praying she will find herself in the first wave of appointments.

Keep pushing on. Remember this is your life and your story, but don't forget to take in the sunset once in a while.
 
I should clarify- that is an entirely unweighted 4.0 referenced above. To date, and including this coming spring, not one student has ever done it.
(It is because our HS gives a lower weight than 4.0 to an A-)
 
okboomer said:
Ehh, don’t underestimate the amount of pressure these kids apply to themselves. They don’t have much in their rear view mirror to draw upon. My DS made his first B in AP Spanish 5. He was legitimately concerned that grade could impact his chances of gaining an appointment. I thought he was playing with me until I figured out he wasn’t. He was dead serious. Hopefully he believed me when I told him he did not need to worry much on that front.
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Agreed! The same with DD. High achieving kids reading this forum can easily come away thinking they have to be almost perfect in all areas.
 
Hey, relax. I got A's and my fair share of B's in high school. I got in in the first wave of appointments with an August LOA and am in the top 20% of the class right now at the Academy. I celebrated my B in Jedi Math first semester (and in plenty of my other classes). You've got to learn how to stumble a bit--a B+ is hardly a fall and many cadets would be elated to get that grade in a class.

You'll get broken down quick if you can't tolerate and work through failure here. Cadets who cannot are the first to leave.
 
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