I got a poor grade first semester senior year how will this affect my application?

[carolrich]

I just got my semester grades for first semester and am about to submit them to West Point. I have always been enrolled in all honors and AP classes since sophomore year (as many as I am allowed to take, my school is very rigorous so we have restrictions on how many we are allowed to take). I generally get 4 A's 3 B's each semester, but all my grades are weighted because they are all honors or AP so doesn't really bring down my GPA much. My school has a new and very difficult AP Physics course and even though I knew I would be filling up my plate (I am involved in a lot of leadership positions, sports, and extracurricular activities) I wanted to challenge myself. That resulted in me getting a C in the class. It hurt my other grades too - all B's. This has never really happened to me so I'm not sure how it looks from a college admissions official. I am a female, one of the only one's applying in my district (it's semi competitive but there are not many other girls). I have VERY good application for West Point and I have local people vouching for me to admissions. I did have a lot going on, my guidance counselor was going to write a note and I work and volunteer almost daily on top of being an officer in 3-4 clubs and on three varsity sports. I have a good ACT score and two nominations.

Based off all of this - will the C in AP physics greatly affect my application? I have 2 1/2 weeks until third quarter is over and I am doing well now in ap physics, B+ range. I am trying to get it up to an A but I also have to be reasonable and attentive with my other classes.

 

[candor]

Just in my opinion, you sound very hardworking and outgoing. I would not go off and say that your poor grade was due to all of your other hard classes/extracurriculars, because everyone is in the same boat as you. However, just to give you some positive perspective, I pushed extremely hard last semester and still ended up with a C in AP Calc. That being said, I just got a USAFA appointment last week. I guess basically, in no way are you out of the running, and you can't change your grade either, so keep pushing hard! We're almost at the finish line!!!

Just leave the grade behind you and make it your goal to do well in that class this semester. Good luck!

 

[brovol]

Your class rank is what counts, so if other kids near you in class ranking got senioritis too, and thus you didn't drop much, then maybe ok, otherwise your WCS will drop assuming you went down in rank. If this was your 8th semester grades, and you already had your appointment I would say no big deal, but you are still working for an appointment, so bottom line is that it could hurt. Are your ACT/SAT scores high enough to compensate if you drop in class standing?

 

[carolrich]

Your class rank is what counts, so if other kids near you in class ranking got senioritis too, and thus you didn't drop much, then maybe ok, otherwise your WCS will drop assuming you went down in rank. If this was your 8th semester grades, and you already had your appointment I would say no big deal, but you are still working for an appointment, so bottom line is that it could hurt. Are your ACT/SAT scores high enough to compensate if you drop in class standing?

My ACT is a 32 and writing is a 33. My school doesn't rank and they never have ranked. I know the class average was very low as well for the specific class and a lot of my other classes my grades are the average or slightly above. I did gain two new officer positions and got promoted to captain of varsity track and got certified and promoted at work so at least I have good news that comes along with the bad but still. Thanks so much for the response by the way - I appreciate it.

 

[carolrich]

Just in my opinion, you sound very hardworking and outgoing. I would not go off and say that your poor grade was due to all of your other hard classes/extracurriculars, because everyone is in the same boat as you. However, just to give you some positive perspective, I pushed extremely hard last semester and still ended up with a C in AP Calc. That being said, I just got a USAFA appointment last week. I guess basically, in no way are you out of the running, and you can't change your grade either, so keep pushing hard! We're almost at the finish line!!!

Just leave the grade behind you and make it your goal to do well in that class this semester. Good luck!

I'm going to try to work towards that mind set. Nothing I can do only room to improve. Thanks so much for the response I appreciate it. Good Luck to you too!

 

[brovol]

My ACT is a 32 and writing is a 33. My school doesn't rank and they never have ranked. I know the class average was very low as well for the specific class and a lot of my other classes my grades are the average or slightly above. I did gain two new officer positions and got promoted to captain of varsity track and got certified and promoted at work so at least I have good news that comes along with the bad but still. Thanks so much for the response by the way - I appreciate it.

I believe they will use your ACT scores to come up with some rank then, and your scores are good. I bet you will be OK. Math and English are most important subscores. Are they good?

 

[carolrich]

I believe they will use your ACT scores to come up with some rank then, and your scores are good. I bet you will be OK. Math and English are most important subscores. Are they good?

My math is low... 28, but my english is a 34. Also my science is 31 and reading is 33.

 

[brovol]

My math is low... 28, but my english is a 34. Also my science is 31 and reading is 33.

All depends on your competition, but you are very much in the game. Have you talked to your RC? Visited West Point yet? If not, I highly recommend you squeeze it in and put a face to your application. Otherwise see if your RC will chat with you. Your math score isn't "bad", just not as good as your other scores.

If I was at the race track I would bet on you to either place or show. Which means I think you will get a spot, but it may be close. Lol. Not making light of the situation, honestly. I know you are stressed about it. I am no expert, but I got real familiar with the process going through it last year with my son applying to three academies. It sounds like you are competing right now, and I think this is going to be a large class. If so, your chances increase. How many nominations did you get? Keep pushing and praying. Good luck.

 

[carolrich]

All depends on your competition, but you are very much in the game. Have you talked to your RC? Visited West Point yet? If not, I highly recommend you squeeze it in and put a face to your application. Otherwise see if your RC will chat with you. Your math score isn't "bad", just not as good as your other scores.

If I was at the race track I would bet on you to either place or show. Which means I think you will get a spot, but it may be close. Lol. Not making light of the situation, honestly. I know you are stressed about it. I am no expert, but I got real familiar with the process going through it last year with my son applying to three academies. It sounds like you are competing right now, and I think this is going to be a large class. If so, your chances increase. How many nominations did you get? Keep pushing and praying. Good luck.

I got two nominations. Also I just got an email that said "If you are receiving this message, it is because you have been offered an appointment or may be getting an offer to West Point. Congratulations!" But I'm not sure if everyone got this email. I visited West Point when I went to SLE and I have a friend who's dad works there and he said realistically they'd offer me an overnight shortly. I performed well on my CFA and the admissions team in my area speak/email regularly with me and based off wording make it seem like I have a very good chance. I'm just going to do what I can to improve as of now.

 

[jagger19]

I got two nominations. Also I just got an email that said "If you are receiving this message, it is because you have been offered an appointment or may be getting an offer to West Point. Congratulations!" But I'm not sure if everyone got this email. I visited West Point when I went to SLE and I have a friend who's dad works there and he said realistically they'd offer me an overnight shortly. I performed well on my CFA and the admissions team in my area speak/email regularly with me and based off wording make it seem like I have a very good chance. I'm just going to do what I can to improve as of now.

That's an interesting e-mail, who did you receive it from? I would check your portal, if you haven't done so in the past few days.

 

[brovol]

I got two nominations. Also I just got an email that said "If you are receiving this message, it is because you have been offered an appointment or may be getting an offer to West Point. Congratulations!" But I'm not sure if everyone got this email. I visited West Point when I went to SLE and I have a friend who's dad works there and he said realistically they'd offer me an overnight shortly. I performed well on my CFA and the admissions team in my area speak/email regularly with me and based off wording make it seem like I have a very good chance. I'm just going to do what I can to improve as of now.

Saweeeeeet!! Congratulations!

 

[carolrich]

That's an interesting e-mail, who did you receive it from? I would check your portal, if you haven't done so in the past few days.

I checked my portal and no changes. My counselor is about to scan, fax and email my transcripts. The email was an invitation to a WP event. I asked some friends who haven't gotten an appointment yet but applied in this area to see if they got the email and I'm waiting on a response. Here's a little bit more of the email.
"If you are receiving this message, it is because you have been offered an appointment or may be getting an offer to West Point. Congratulations!
This offer is only for those that have a high probably of a West Point offer of Admission. There are no guarantees."
I'm nervous still but just going to keep doing my best in school. Nothing I can do to change my grade. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[carolrich]

Saweeeeeet!! Congratulations!

Thank you!!! Still no guarantee but it's a little bit more encouraging. Thanks for your help.

 

[brovol]

Thank you!!! Still no guarantee but it's a little bit more encouraging. Thanks for your help.

Well; I don't want to take 100%credit if you get the appointment, but it must be more than coincidence that only moments after I gave my advice you got that email, right? Lol.

 

[USMA 1994]

The email you mention is most likely an invitation to a briefing with the field force and admission personal that is tied to a Founder's Day Dinner. Your file is identified by a few categories and yours says something like qualified and competitive. It is a very good sign and you are the top candidate or very close to the top of the two nomination slates you are on. We attended the same type meeting last weekend with my DD.

In terms of your original question, your WCS is developed based on all of your activities. One "C" grade in one AP class will not likely change your score. The Academic portion is test scores and class rank. Since your school does not rank, they will use your test scores to develop that ranking. I would follow up with my RC today and make sure the new leadership roles you mentioned are included in your file. They can impact your WCS.

You are in a good place so keep doing the same things you have done your entire life and good things will come.

 

[carolrich]

The email you mention is most likely an invitation to a briefing with the field force and admission personal that is tied to a Founder's Day Dinner. Your file is identified by a few categories and yours says something like qualified and competitive. It is a very good sign and you are the top candidate or very close to the top of the two nomination slates you are on. We attended the same type meeting last weekend with my DD.

In terms of your original question, your WCS is developed based on all of your activities. One "C" grade in one AP class will not likely change your score. The Academic portion is test scores and class rank. Since your school does not rank, they will use your test scores to develop that ranking. I would follow up with my RC today and make sure the new leadership roles you mentioned are included in your file. They can impact your WCS.

You are in a good place so keep doing the same things you have done your entire life and good things will come.

This is great news! I let my RC know and it's on my file. Thank you so much for your input and best of luck to your DD!