7th Semester Grades - Hurt My Appointment

[Ems410]

My school has yet to submit seventh semester transcripts and will not do so for another week. I know that this will not affect my appointment in terms of file completion before the deadline (Feb 2nd, which has long passed). For a better sense, I want to state that I do have an LOA and my SAT score was close to 1400. From freshman to junior year, I have kept mostly straight As with only 3 Bs, taking extra summer courses, AP classes and college level courses, so I have made sure to challenge myself. However, my first semester of senior year was extremely difficult for me.

At the beginning of the school year, I was in a different country and many familial circumstances that I had no control over affected my ability to perform well in school. In my opinion, my grades have "tanked" (a large drop from how I performed in the past) and it is extremely frustrating. I tried everything from communicating with teachers and staying after school to get work done. I believe that I am not having a difficult time understanding material, but rather have a difficult time completing assignments outside of school. I was enrolled in five AP courses and my school did not give me a choice as to what courses I could take. I even tried changing two of my AP courses to other ones and it was not possible due to space in classes and scheduling. I attempted this only because I knew that I would be involved in many extra-curriculars, I do have a job and because of the circumstances I mentioned.

After reading old threads, I know that an LOA or appoinment will not be rescinded for a C, but can cause further review for a D or an F. Out of all my classes, I have several Cs and one D. I do plan on communicating with my admissions team before sending my transcript. I do not like the idea of them having to find out then having to reach out to me. I rather be proactive and honest. A lot more has calmed down in my life, and I plan to have straight As for my second semester and focus more on my studies. With what I have mentioned, do you think I have hurt my chances in receiving an appointment? Any words of advice would be extremely helpful. I have lost sleep over this and constantly think about it all day.

 

[GADestiny]

For sure you being pro-active and reaching out to them in advance will be a lot better than Admissions finding out by surprise. The fact that you received an LOA based on past performance indicates you are a very competitive candidate. Question: Do you have a Nom? Are you 3Q? If yes to both then in my opinion Admissions should look more closely at your holistic history. Sometimes, life throws a wrench and everyone in his/her life has to deal with times of tribulation. The one thing I think (in my personal opinion) is to see how Admissions will react to your hardship when your grades dropped. Was this really uncontrollable and does the grades justify the severity of your hardship? There are those who are careless and let there grades slip in senior year and this is not good. But, in your case, my opinion is you may need to plea your case and present some hardcore evidence to exonerate your grades, maybe even holding off decision until your 8th semester grades are reported? All in all, we have to put your case in perspective in terms of other candidates because there may be those who are well more qualified than you or less qualified than you.

But! I empathize with your hardship and wish you the best and hope all works out. God bless!

 

[Ems410]

For sure you being pro-active and reaching out to them in advance will be a lot better than Admissions finding out by surprise. The fact that you received an LOA based on past performance indicates you are a very competitive candidate. Question: Do you have a Nom? Are you 3Q? If yes to both then in my opinion Admissions should look more closely at your holistic history. Sometimes, life throws a wrench and everyone in his/her life has to deal with times of tribulation. The one thing I think (in my personal opinion) is to see how Admissions will react to your hardship when your grades dropped. Was this really uncontrollable and does the grades justify the severity of your hardship? There are those who are careless and let there grades slip in senior year and this is not good. But, in your case, my opinion is you may need to plea your case and present some hardcore evidence to exonerate your grades, maybe even holding off decision until your 8th semester grades are reported? All in all, we have to put your case in perspective in terms of other candidates because there may be those who are well more qualified than you or less qualified than you.

But! I empathize with your hardship and wish you the best and hope all works out. God bless!

Thank you so much! I did not receive official correspondance informing me that I am 3Q as it is not sent out to every single candidate who is triple qualified. However, I am qualified medically and was informed by my admissions team that I passed my CFA. I do also have a nomination. I am aware that senioritis is real and truthfully, I have felt some of it, but I know that it has not resulted in me being careless or lazy. That is the last thing I would want knowing the seriousness of finishing high school strong for service academies and because the curriculum at USMA is indeed challenging. I will do whatever possible to prove to admissions that this is the case. I am considering mentioning holding off on my appointment until I demonstrate improvement with my 8th semester grades. Again, thank you and God bless!

 

[GADestiny]

Thank you so much! I did not receive official correspondance informing me that I am 3Q as it is not sent out to every single candidate who is triple qualified. However, I am qualified medically and was informed by my admissions team that I passed my CFA. I do also have a nomination. I am aware that senioritis is real and truthfully, I have felt some of it, but I know that it has not resulted in me being careless or lazy. That is the last thing I would want knowing the seriousness of finishing high school strong for service academies and because the curriculum at USMA is indeed challenging. I will do whatever possible to prove to admissions that this is the case. I am considering mentioning holding off on my appointment until I demonstrate improvement with my 8th semester grades. Again, thank you and God bless!

Great! Good spirit.
Try reaching out to your RC.
He or she is your BEST advocate.
If RC is convinced, he or she will go the distance for you.
Best wises!