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I'm a freshmen looking to go to an out-of-state-college. I made some poor grades on my progress report due to absenses and family problems. I'm wondering if these will have any weight on my chances of getting into a good college? Or do the college admissions only look at actual Report Cards or even just GPA and class ranking? I'm making up the work but I wonder if they may be a problem when I start apply to colleges? Do I have anything to worry about?

By Dadster on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 07:38 pm: Edit

Dana, as a freshman you have a good opportunity to bring your grades up. Colleges look at GPA and rank, but they look at the detail of your transcripts, too. Your sophomore, junior, and first semester senior grades will be more important, but don't wait until then to start working! Good luck.

By college-mom on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 11:35 am: Edit

Colleges will only see your final grade for each course on your transcript. They won't see any of your progress reports, if that's all you have going against you right now.

While your freshman grades can impact your ultimate GPA and class rank if they aren't what you'd like them to be, what colleges are looking for is an upward trend in a challenging course load over your four years. You want to do especially well in your junior year (and keep it up senior year). So, it's definitely too early for you to be worrying.

By brattypnay121 on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 09:42 pm: Edit

I'm a senior and I am getting a lower gpa than usual due to my difficult ap classes this year. I am taking 4 ap classes this year it it's arduous to keep up with each class when they are all so demanding. Would colleges rather have a student thattakes general ed classes and gets straight A's? or a student that takes all ap classes and has only B's and C's on their report card?

By Dadster on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 10:59 pm: Edit

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, say admissions officers. The canned reply (usually delivered with a chuckle) is, "We prefer the applicant get an A in the difficult class." They are only half-kidding, of course. Many elite applicants DO get As in their most difficult classes.

Having said that, even moderately selective colleges look askance at students who take all "easy" classes. I'd aim for a load (to the extent that you can) that gives you some challenging classes, but tries to avoid Cs and still features an A or two.

By muenchen on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 08:50 am: Edit

I have a 3.5 GPA but am only in the top 25% of a class of 693. I am confused - is this good or not? I am a senior.

By Dadster on Friday, October 04, 2002 - 08:40 pm: Edit

Whether your record is "good" or not depends on where you'll be applying, and the difficulty level of your school. Certainly, a 3.5 and top quartile is a good record. But, it probably won't get you into Harvard. If your school is highly competitive (e.g., a magnet school), being in the top quartile will look much stronger than if it is a more typical public HS. Check the acceptance stats for your colleges of interest, and see where you fit in. Good luck, muenchen!

By Marianne Gan on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 09:49 pm: Edit

What is the difference between my Academic GPA, my total GPA and my CSU GPA? when i apply for colleges, which GPA should I put?
Another question is if i apply for early action, what are the pros and cons?

By Dadster on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 10:42 pm: Edit

Usually high schools calculate one "official" GPA - if you have several, ask your guidance counselor which you should use. Since early action is not a firm commitment to attend, there are no real cons. Search the main site here for "early action" and "early decision" for more info.

By Veronica Sette on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:11 pm: Edit

I am getting great grades in all my classes except for my calculus class this senior year, I have never received anything below a B on my report card and so far, I'm getting an F in my calculus class. I am so terrified about college because i talked to my counselor and she says its too late to transfer out of the class; only until the quarter ends. If i manage to get a D or C by the end of the quarter, wil this quarter grade affect my acceptance to a college? or will colleges only look at the END of the first SEMESTER grades of my senior year (to give me time to raise that F)?

By Veronica Sette on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:17 pm: Edit

I am getting great grades in all my classes except for my calculus class this senior year, I have never received anything below a B on my report card and so far, I'm getting an F in my calculus class. I am so terrified about college because i talked to my counselor and she says its too late to transfer out of the class; only until the quarter ends. If i manage to get a D or C by the end of the quarter, wil this quarter grade affect my acceptance to a college? or will colleges only look at the END of the first SEMESTER grades of my senior year (to give me time to raise that F)?

By veronica sette on Sunday, October 20, 2002 - 10:31 pm: Edit

I am getting great grades in all my classes except for my calculus class this senior year, I have never received anything below a B on my report card and so far, I'm getting an F in my calculus class. I am so terrified about college because i talked to my counselor and she says its too late to transfer out of the class; only until the quarter ends. If i manage to get a D or C by the end of the quarter, wil this quarter grade affect my acceptance to a college? or will colleges only look at the END of the first SEMESTER grades of my senior year (to give me time to raise that F)?


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By tali on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:24 pm: Edit

Hi!
I'm currently a junior and I have always had a gpa of around 3.7. However, due to the fact that I'm taking a ton of classes this year and have about a 10 hour school day, I'm not doing as well as I should be.I'm a bit confused as to what colleges want. Would it be better to have an easier work load and maintain my high gpa or to have a more rigourous, time demanding schedule and have a lower gpa of around 3.4? I'm not doing so well in math either, which is alot of the reason why I'm flailing a bit. Will a bad grade in one class ruin my chances for everything?Please someone let me know!!

By yce on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 04:53 am: Edit

dana: i get "progress reports" at my school too. Here they're just for you and your parents - to warn you/compliment you and show you the direction you're going in.
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question! I'm wondering - do apps ask for one set of grades for fresh,soph, junior, senior? or is it two sets each year i.e. midterm and end-of-year...?

By Anthony on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 01:18 pm: Edit

hi i would like to know what subjects are counted into GPA? isnt it eng,ss,math,sci, and a foreign language? cause my avg is higher with gym and the electives

By Christ85 (Christ85) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 11:41 am: Edit

I'm a junior in high school. I'm taking an AP history class and right now, I'm failing. Is this going to ruin my chances of getting into a college such as Liberty University?