How to advise my junior - opinions please

justdoit19

justdoit19

Proud parent of an ANG, USNA X2, and a MidSib
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My high school junior told me last night that he wanted to retake an environmental science class he took for high school credit in 8th grade. He received a C, would certainly get an A this go around (he was taking several other upper level HS classes at the time). It’s a semester class. It makes sense to me to retake it, and next semester as to get that C off of his GPA before submitting his applications next summer.

How is this looked at by admissions, anyone know? He has the space in his schedule. He is also currently taking AP physics, AP calc AB, chem, all the STEM stuff. This would only be to clean up his GPA, since he has the space to do so. But it’s still on his transcripts, I believe.

Opinions?
 
The SAs only care about classes taken in high school. They ignore anything prior to 9th grade. They like to see a positive progression in grades. And they like to see the candidate taking the toughest courses the school has to offer.

I say move on. Environmental science is not a core course, even within the STEM rubric. Your DS has moved on to bigger, better things with those AP STEM courses. Want to really impress the SAs? Take another AP course!

To be clear, GPA is secondary to class rank and course rigor, within the context of the school profile. “Cleaning up” his transcript would be purely a cosmetic exercise. If it makes him feel better, fine. But at this point, other aspects — leadership, athletics, test scores — matter much more.
 
I would not retake. BTW GPA is below class rank. Class rank is below the standardized scores (i.e. ACT and SAT.)

Not sure about MidCakePA comment about and the positive progression???
 
Short of talking to Admissions directly, I don't think anyone really knows. I will venture the opinion that USNA probably doesn't care. As long as the Candidate has taken and done well in the the core STEM courses, they aren't going to care about one C in Environmental Science, particularly if taken while in 8th grade. (How does the transcript reflect the course ? Does it show as taken in 8th grade, or part of the freshman year transcript).

How does your school report the new grade ... showing the class as retaken and showing both the old and new grade, or do they simply substitute the substitute the new grade in the place of the old ? Personally, I find the later approach academically dishonest and inappropriate.
 
I suggest you check with your high school admin folks about having the class removed from his transcript and GPA calculations (provided it is not needed for graduation credit). DS took HS geometry in 8th grade and has the option of keeping it as part of his HS record, or not.
 
parent said:
Not sure about MidCakePA comment about and the positive progression???
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@parent, you and I are saying essentially the same thing. I’m just saying it with more words and fewer question marks.

“Positive progression” in grades means an upward trajectory in GPA. All Cs in 9th grade, all Bs in 10th, all As in 11th would be an example of positive progression. Not as good as all As from day one, but otherwise looked at positively by all colleges.
 
All very good points! Will look into all angles. Especially removing it. Hadn’t even thought of that (back in his MS years, they had to select whether they wanted these HS level classes counted towards HS transcripts, and HS gpa, early in the year. So kids were ‘gambling’ on how they would do. They have since changed how they do it, allowing them to decide after they have received grades. So there may be a chance if removing it ...).

I know that C bothers him, too. He has a semester available. I was advising him to take a lifeguarding class to help with the swimming should he earn an appointment (his plebe bro is an aqua rock [emoji23]).

Thanks all, appreciate the input!
 
If the C doesnt show up on his high school transcripts, what would be the point. They arent going to look at scores he received during 8th grade
 
Humey said:
If the C doesnt show up on his high school transcripts, what would be the point. They arent going to look at scores he received during 8th grade
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It does show up. That’s the point. And it is part of his high school GPA. It’s on his permanent transcripts.
 
justdoit19 said:
Humey said:
If the C doesnt show up on his high school transcripts, what would be the point. They arent going to look at scores he received during 8th grade
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It does show up. That’s the point. And it is part of his high school GPA. It’s on his permanent transcripts.
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I believe you but how does a grade he got in Junior HIgh show up in his high school records.
 
It is a special school, where higher learners are able to take certain core HS level classes for HS credit. It was part of his 8th grade day. They are bused to this school for part
of the day. I’m sure he isn’t the only 8th grader who took HS math (and other) classes for HS credit?

My now Plebe also did this. So I believe it was advanced bio, whatever 10th grade math is, and 9th grade English. As an 8th grader. So as a freshman he entered into 11th grade math, advanced chem and 10th grade adv English. Bc he had the prerequisites already met in 8th grade.
 
8th grade marks for HS level classes showing up as HS credit on HS transcripts is not that uncommon. But in most school districts you have the option of including them for graduation credit (which keeps the grade and factors into the GPA) or have them removed.
 
Drybones said:
how do I sign up for upcoming events in a sophomore?
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Drybones, head to the USNA website and "read every link and drop-down you can."- wise words of @Capt MJ . Everything you need is on there, including dates of upcoming admissions forums and congressional academy days depending on where you live. Search all the questions you have using the search function here on SAF, and most if not all of your questions will be answered. It's up to you to do solid research. Good luck.

Sorry if I distracted from the OP by answering this!
 
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JMPO, but if he has the space to do it and feels he can handle the load, why wouldn't you do it? Keep in mind that you need to think beyond admissions to other college applications. Finally, I don't see how re-taking the class could hurt him unless it keeps him from doing something more important. It is, after all, just environmental science and not what I would consider to be a core course. Personally I think it's awash and really makes no difference one way or the other. A C in any course isn't going to crush an application.
 
I would retake it- my now plebe had taken HS credited courses while in 8th grade, 1 computer course was a 4.0 and not weighted 5.0 even though he received an A it did effect his GPA and class rank- in a heavily competitive school and district -every little bit helps.
 
It’s only one C!
If the kid has an open slot in the schedule, why not take a productive STEM class and get an A in it. Choose something that will benefit your DS in his learning, not just to Retake an old class and ace it for a GPA bump.

That would show “positive progression “!
 
Agree, not concerned or worried. He has the space and time and ability, already has the STEM load.

Questioning if it’s advantageous to clean up the grade and therefore GPA before submitting his application. What I’m understanding from what I’m reading is that class rank and standardized test scores are what are looked at, not GPA. This is what I’m after in my original question.

It’s not a vanity thing, only how to best set himself up for the best package he can submit.
 
justdoit19 said:
Agree, not concerned or worried. He has the space and time and ability, already has the STEM load.

Questioning if it’s advantageous to clean up the grade and therefore GPA before submitting his application. What I’m understanding from what I’m reading is that class rank and standardized test scores are what are looked at, not GPA. This is what I’m after in my original question.

It’s not a vanity thing, only how to best set himself up for the best package he can submit.
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Based on this, it now becomes an issue of capacity. If your DS repeats the course while doing all the other STEM courses, how will it impact his time management?
  • Will the time devoted to repeating the course impact his grades from the STEM load?
  • Will it reduce time for EC's, part time jobs,sports and leadership?
  • Should this time be used more wisely for just academic/life balance?
These answers should determine if he should repeat or not.
 
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