How much will one Semester of Grades slipping hurt me?

[LJ-USAF-22]

I am Junior in November of semester 1 and have hit a bit of a rough patch in comparison to my prior success in high school. With this being said my academic setback has been backed up with being a Flight Sergeant in my Civil Air Patrol Squadron and Wing Encampment, Starting and running a new club at my school devoted to helping veterans, earning my varsity letter in Cross Country, and starting a color guard for my Civil Air Patrol Squadron. I do not think these things have gotten the best of me, but I do think I have taken a hit in my constant upward trend in GPA because of the new responsibility and increased classload. I am adapting, but not as fast as I have previously done so.

Here are my grades so far in high school. Assuming I can do better in my second semester of Junior Year and first semester of Senior year how bad will my 1st semester junior grades hurt me? (These grades are the final averages of the year)

9th Grade:
Honors Biology: A
Honors Composition: A
PE: A
Music Theory: A
Honors Algebra 1: B+
Social Studies: A

10th Grade:
Honors Chemistry: B
Honors Geometry: A-
Honors American Literature: A
AP United States History: A
Public Speaking: A

1st Semester Junior Year:
AP Chemistry: B
IB English: B+ (there is a chance I can get an A in this class)
IB History: A
Government: A
Spanish 3: A
Honors Algebra 3: B

 

[Capri120]

LJ-USAF-22

In reality, your grades are not bad, and I mean that in the best sense, and this semester is not going to be a significant hit. I base this mostly on the fact that the classes in which you have B's are either honors, AP, or IB, which are weighted higher than "normal" high school classes.

That being said, using the excuse of increased workload for lower grades will get little sympathy from those who have gone before you. Your workload will only increase at an SA, so you need to do your best and figure out how to adjust now to increased workloads and don't slack off in your last 3 semesters.

Do your best, this semester and in the upcoming ones. If you really want to attend an SA, keep taking the higher level classes, and don't let one semester deter you from you goal. You will find that the hardest semester in which to stay focused will be the second semester of your senior year in high school.

Best of luck.

 

[LJ-USAF-22]

Thanks for the response! I knew full well going into this year that the class load would be harder and I knew I would have to adapt in order to be successful. I have done this and I have figured out what I need to do in order to get better grades. I just did not figure it out soon enough to continue my average of 1 B per semester. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[fencersmother]

Apparently, you just need a refresher on the most valuable skill: time management! You will have all those EC's and activities plus more at any SA. Best to learn now that grades should not suffer because one starts a running club.

Remember who your competition is! See what they do!

My sons' schedule for junior/senior year:

Full high school curriculum (at home)
10-12 credits each semester at local University (38 miles ea way, so lots of homework in the car)
Fencing five days / week (45 minute drive each way), plus at least one out of town tournament per month
Paper route, walked, every morning, 2.5 miles, 5:30-7 am., seven days/ week
20 hour/week part time job, at grocery store, or as dishwasher in local eatery
Started soccer club for homeschoolers and other fencers which met Saturdays after fencing practice
Altar Servers at church every Sunday

You get the idea... and other than the homeschooling part (which counts as "diversity"), they were not so terribly unusual.

So, no more excuses. Get a WRITTEN PLANNER (not your phone or computer) and write out those blocks of time you need to schedule. You will find you have plenty of time for homework, and clubs, and CAP and band, and FENCING.

 

[MN-Dad-2016]

I am Junior in November of semester 1 and have hit a bit of a rough patch in comparison to my prior success in high school. With this being said my academic setback has been backed up with being a Flight Sergeant in my Civil Air Patrol Squadron and Wing Encampment, Starting and running a new club at my school devoted to helping veterans, earning my varsity letter in Cross Country, and starting a color guard for my Civil Air Patrol Squadron. I do not think these things have gotten the best of me, but I do think I have taken a hit in my constant upward trend in GPA because of the new responsibility and increased classload. I am adapting, but not as fast as I have previously done so.

Here are my grades so far in high school. Assuming I can do better in my second semester of Junior Year and first semester of Senior year how bad will my 1st semester junior grades hurt me? (These grades are the final averages of the year)

9th Grade:
Honors Biology: A
Honors Composition: A
PE: A
Music Theory: A
Honors Algebra 1: B+
Social Studies: A

10th Grade:
Honors Chemistry: B
Honors Geometry: A-
Honors American Literature: A
AP United States History: A
Public Speaking: A

1st Semester Junior Year:
AP Chemistry: B
IB English: B+ (there is a chance I can get an A in this class)
IB History: A
Government: A
Spanish 3: A
Honors Algebra 3: B

Congratulations and Thank You for your desire to serve!

If you were my son or daughter, I'd be giving you the following advice:
Your #1 job is your nailing the best grades that you can with the most difficult classes that you can take. #2, get the best ACT/SAT you can achieve. Your job is to be the best you can be at your job. Your job 1st and foremost is to be an exceptional student. Flight Sergeant, Starting and running club for veterans, starting a color guard etc is wonderful and all. But some might view that as partially contrived. If I was reading your application, I'd see too many feel-good, drive-by clubs. A much better way of showing leadership and commitment is pick a topic that you are passionate on and drill deep.

The 1st way to get someone's attention is to nail your grades with hard classes and be in the top percentile of a standardized test. IMHO, and at this point (specifically in your situation), you should only be focusing on grades and ACT along with trying for a leadership role in your sport (CC). For an Academy appointment, they want to see teamwork, leadership, and an athletic background. The trifacta is being a captain of a sport.

Our DS was a Captain of 2 sports, #1 ranked out of 6xx students and more than enough volunteer hours. His passion was also his vocation. He was a college tutor for math, biology, and chemistry. He worked 12-20 hours a week. As a bonus, it helped him hone his technical skills. But he had a fraction of the volunteering hours and didn't start any clubs etc. If it isn't your passion, you won't be fooling anyone. So in his case, he could write about how it made him feel to help students. It just so happens that he got paid for his passion.

That's my free advice. I am rooting for you!

 

[Daretodream]

My DS said over the break that he actually has less work during his first semester related to school then he did in high school. This is a testament to the schedule he took in high school. He said he is the exception to the rule.

He also was very involved in ECs and worked during high school. He had to learn time management skills and his grades from time to time took hits. He kept at it and showed the progress in test scores and final AP exams. It was not a deterrent in getting the appointment.

Keep working hard and improving.