C's

[cbrewster7]

Hi, I am in my sophomore year of high school and I have a bit of a problem. I am already one year ahead in math than the average student in my school, but this recent summer I decided to challenge myself and I self taught Algebra 2 in a month, and scored an 83 on the NYS Regents. This puts me two years ahead now, as I am enrolled in Pre-Calc Honors. However I have had a struggle for most of the year, and despite my efforts I will most likely end with a C. The rest of my grades are A's and one or two B's. Will this one C sink my chance of admission in the coming years? Thank you!

 

[THmom]

Hi, I am in my sophomore year of high school and I have a bit of a problem. I am already one year ahead in math than the average student in my school, but this recent summer I decided to challenge myself and I self taught Algebra 2 in a month, and scored an 83 on the NYS Regents. This puts me two years ahead now, as I am enrolled in Pre-Calc Honors. However I have had a struggle for most of the year, and despite my efforts I will most likely end with a C. The rest of my grades are A's and one or two B's. Will this one C sink my chance of admission in the coming years? Thank you!

If I were you, I'd count on retaking that class so as to replace your grade. While Cs aren't a death sentence, you need to know the material better than you do, particularly if you plan to go on in math, which is a given. Retake it next year or do it over the summer. That's my advice.

 

[Jakesimp_]

Hi, I am in my sophomore year of high school and I have a bit of a problem. I am already one year ahead in math than the average student in my school, but this recent summer I decided to challenge myself and I self taught Algebra 2 in a month, and scored an 83 on the NYS Regents. This puts me two years ahead now, as I am enrolled in Pre-Calc Honors. However I have had a struggle for most of the year, and despite my efforts I will most likely end with a C. The rest of my grades are A's and one or two B's. Will this one C sink my chance of admission in the coming years? Thank you!

You can’t count yourself because of a low grade in one class. The admissions team evaluates you fully in every way, not just grades and test scores. If you want the best chances, be involved and a leader in your community and school while keeping decent grades and working hard on your ACT or SAT scores.

 

[StPaulDad]

The real issue isn't a single C so much as having a good enough footing in this material to build on it next fall. If you really don't know it well you're going to behind the curve again next year. You can show progress after a C, and say you learned to dedicate yourself to studying or whatever, but more Cs start saying that this is your math level.

So your priority is to get moving now. Get in and visit your teacher starting today at lunch, or after school, or maybe Monday morning. Whatever math help your school offers should now be part of your daily routine until you get back on top of this stuff. Ask about every homework problem you couldn't solve, know why you missed every wrong answer on your quizzes, and start wrapping your head around the idea that you're not going to do it alone. You've worked hard and ended up here, so try something new to see if that helps. Teachers like kids that invest as much effort as they do, and they love shoving kids over the line when asked for help. It's by all accounts one of the more rewarding parts of being a teacher.