Did I just mess everything up?

Question

I'm usually a straight A student, but I started AP History and the first grade I got for the first quarter was one point off of a C, and was a D+. Did I just seriously mess everything up for colleges?

Answer 1

"If you really know the grade you will receive in an honors or AP course, never plan to do less well than a B-. When we in admissions review your curriculum, we look for strength in your selection of courses."
-- Ann Fleming Brown, Associate Dean of Admissions, Union College

"...listen to the advice of the current teacher and/or counselor as to the best placement for your success. Talking your way into AP Chem, only to get a C or lower, is a big mistake."
-- Mike Sexton, Dean of Admissions, Lewis & Clark College

"This question is on at least one person's mind (whether asked or not) in virtually every audience that we speak with about admissions to a very selective institution. The flip reply that evokes laughter is, 'You should take the honors course and get an A.' In actuality, this is a personal decision that should be made with the student, counselor, and even the parent. You want to take the most difficult course load that you can successfully handle. Avoiding the honors or AP course so as to achieve a 4.0 is no wiser than taking on too many honors and AP courses such that your academic or physical health suffers."
-- Daniel J. Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, University of Notre Dame

"If we are to care about students learning as much as possible about themselves and academic subjects while in high school, then the only reasonable answer to this question is, 'Students should take as many courses as possible that will make them think and work hard. They should never avoid a course that would help them grow intellectually just to protect a GPA. Honors or AP courses are not for everyone, but who are we kidding here? Our job is to advise students to think, learn, understand that learning is difficult, realize that the best teachers may not be those who make them feel good, and, finally, that working for a GPA rather than for personal and intellectual development is wrong.' This is the exact advice that I am giving my daughter, who is a high school junior.

"Although I have been an admission professional for seventeen years, I am sure that my advice doesn't speak accurately for all colleges. Unfortunately, I fear that there are college admission offices that don't reward learning over grade point averages, but I'm still going to advise my daughter to do what is right. I do know for certain that there are plenty of excellent colleges that will accept for admission the students who explain in their college admission essays why it was better for them to take the AP course and earn Bs than the regular course and earn As.

"Not only are AP and Honors courses not for everyone, but they may not always be the courses that will challenge a student the most. A student and a counselor need to try to figure out what courses will provide the best learning environment for each given student. But it is precisely that strategy and not one aimed at protecting a GPA that needs to occur."
-- Larry Clendenin, Director of Admissions, St. John's College

"The short answer: Take the harder course and get an A. The longer answer: You should take the most challenging curriculum you can handle -- and do well. Highly selective universities are looking for students to join a highly competitive environment. Regardless of how challenging your high school is, these types of universities will be more challenging. So, we're evaluating candidates who are ready for our environment."
-- Roland M. Allen, Associate Director of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The first consideration admission officers at Carnegie Mellon make concerns the quality and rigor of the coursework selected by an applicant. We expect that a student will challenge himself/herself to the best of their ability. If an honors or advanced course is offered and the student is prepared academically to take the course, it would be our hope that the student would not settle for a less rigorous option. Take the more challenging coursework and risk learning more. It is also still OK to take an honors course and get a B+ or A!"
-- Michael Steidel, Director of Admission, Carnegie Mellon University

"The obvious answer is to get an A in the higher-level course. We are seeing three to four APs as an average load these days, so elect the best curriculum the school offers."
-- Tony Strickland, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

It also depends where you are planning on going to school. The non-ivy leagues aren't quite so hard to get in to. My advice: Talk to your school counselor!

Answer 2

It depends... how do you think you will do for the rest of the year?

You decide... an A in a regular class or
a D in an AP class.

Honestly, I would withdraw now.

What do you want to major in in college? If it is not History related drop the class.

Answer 3

No-you just need to try harder to bring up the grade before the semester grades come out, that is what will effect your year end grade report the average between the first and second semester. Speak to your teacher and see what you can do to improve the grade and catch up. You may need to do some extra credit or retake a test but it will be worth it. Talk to your teacher they are their to help you succeed in your education. Good Luck!

Answer 4

No I don't think so. You said its only the first quarter. Bring it up to the great grades you are used to this next quarter to balance it out and then finish the year with great grades to give you a high GPA for the year.

Answer 5

No. A lot of people who start those types of classes make a crappy grade. You just have to get used to what the curriculum requires you to do. Remember, keep trying because you're in an AP class for a reason. Keep your head up; you'll do fine!