Does 9th Grade Grades Affect University Admissions?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of 9th-grade grades on university admissions, particularly for competitive institutions like MIT, Caltech, and others. Participants explore concerns about academic performance, preparation for standardized tests, and the importance of extracurricular activities in the admissions process.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the significance of 9th-grade grades in the context of university admissions, suggesting that while they matter, later performance can mitigate earlier shortcomings.
  • Others advise focusing on achieving high grades in subsequent years and participating in extracurricular activities to enhance university applications.
  • There are differing opinions on the quantity and quality of extracurricular activities; some suggest doing many activities well, while others recommend focusing on a few and excelling in them.
  • Some participants share personal experiences regarding admissions, noting that high grades and test scores do not guarantee acceptance, and that other factors may influence decisions.
  • Concerns are raised about the pressure to engage in activities solely for admissions purposes, with some emphasizing the importance of genuine interest in subjects like physics and math.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that 9th-grade grades are considered in admissions but express differing views on their weight compared to later academic performance and other factors. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to extracurricular involvement and its impact on admissions.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various strategies for improving admissions prospects, including academic performance and extracurricular involvement, but do not reach a consensus on the relative importance of these factors or the specific role of 9th-grade grades.

anthonych414
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
I need to know if universities care about grade in the 9th grade, because I've been a little off this year (blame the raging hormones) and my average is really bad (76% in term 1, I still didn't get the marks of term 2) but I'm pretty sure I can get 85+ next year but I'm worried about what universities will think. By the way if it helps I want to apply to MIT, Caltech, Northeastern, Berkeley, and UCLA, and I want to major in Physics.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have plenty of time to create a package that Top Notch Universities are looking for. My advice to you is start right now getting as many A's, in as many classes as you can, (preferebly honors, but a mix of college prep and honors will do). Second be a part of as many club's and activities as you can. This can be a tie breaker sometimes for students who have similar grades and test scores. Last when the time comes you must prepare and do very well on the SAT. This being the case if your goals are high. If you are happy going to an average Universitiy (which is what I did) then a good GPA and a average SAT score should do the job. You are the right track, just give it your best and don't forget to enjoy the ride.

Good Luck!

EG
 
I am planning on starting to prepare for the SATs in the summer after my official exams(Brevet) I think I will get something between 1900 and 2100 sometimes I do the question of the day in math and I usually get it right (5/7). Thank you for the help.
 
Awesome, if you can afford it a prep class may get you into that top 5 percent you may need to get into the eliete universities.
 
we have a prep class at my school in grades 10, 11, 12, and it's obligatory.
 
The good news is that if you do well in later years, a bad freshman year won't hurt you too much.

The bad news is that you probably need to aim a little higher than 85+ if you want to be competitive at the universities that you named. Think 90+, for the most part. (Also, keep in mind that at top US universities, grades can keep you out, but they can't get you in.)
 
ok thanks for the advice I could easily get 90+ but arabic is like an anchor too me so I'm going to try to ace everything else.
 
They care in the States, although I check with your college.
 
Just to give you an idea about how competitive admissions are at some of those schools, this year MIT accepted just fewer than 10% of the total number of applicants that applied. However, while MIT only took 10% of these applicants, 25% of them were class valedictorians and just over 40% had a perfect score on the SAT II Math Subject Test.
 
  • #10
one of the guys who got accepted was called john yazbeck he's my friends brother he got full marks on math and chemistry SAT II, and got the highest grade in all of my country in his Bachalaureate exams.
 
  • #11
jgens said:
Just to give you an idea about how competitive admissions are at some of those schools, this year MIT accepted just fewer than 10% of the total number of applicants that applied. However, while MIT only took 10% of these applicants, 25% of them were class valedictorians and just over 40% had a perfect score on the SAT II Math Subject Test.

However, this could be misleading. Being a class valedictorian and getting an perfect score on the SAT II Math subject test certainly helps you get in, but people that don't have perfect scores get in, and some people who *do* have perfect scores don't. There is some randomness in the system, and also there are some factors that MIT looks at might get you in.

For example, MIT does try to make sure that admissions are balanced across geographical areas, so that not everyone comes from say, the northeast. Also if you happen to be unlucky to be in a place with awful public schools, but you can show some science/engineering talent despite this, then MIT does try to correct for that.
 
  • #12
Poker-face said:
Second be a part of as many club's and activities as you can. This can be a tie breaker sometimes for students who have similar grades and test scores.

It can be, but one problem with college admissions is that once people figure out that you have to do X to get in, people do X for the sake of getting in. Something that I've seen that I don't like is when people do lots of activities for the title, but actually don't do anything useful with the role.

Also science fairs and math competitions are useful. If there is some sort of high school summer science camp, this is also very useful. These are probably much more important than clubs.

The other thing is that you have to figure out if you *like* studying and doing these sorts of things. If you end up doing science fairs just for the college admissions and you don't really *enjoy* it, then this is not going to be good, but you are going to seriously regret going to MIT or Caltech if you do get in.
 
  • #13
From a college admissions standpoint, I don't think you should do lots of activities... only do a few, but do them very, very well.

Of course if you are interested in doing a lot of activities, do them! College admissions shouldn't be the purpose for everything in your life.
 
  • #14
For the record, I had a 4.0 and a perfect score on the Math SATII and I didn't get into Caltech. On the other hand, I only had a few extracurriculars.

Edit: Also, it doesn't really bother me anymore. I'm quite happy with where I'm at now.
 
  • #15
twofish-quant said:
The other thing is that you have to figure out if you *like* studying and doing these sorts of things. If you end up doing science fairs just for the college admissions and you don't really *enjoy* it, then this is not going to be good, but you are going to seriously regret going to MIT or Caltech if you do get in.

I love physics and math, and I love studying them, I want to go to math camp in the summer of 2011, I was going to compete in ascience fair this year but I didn't have time to prepare anything so I quit, and the reason I want to go to Caltech or MIT is to be with fellow intellectuals who have the same passion for math and physics as I do.
 
  • #16
anthonych414 said:
I need to know if universities care about grade in the 9th grade, because I've been a little off this year (blame the raging hormones) and my average is really bad (76% in term 1, I still didn't get the marks of term 2) but I'm pretty sure I can get 85+ next year but I'm worried about what universities will think. By the way if it helps I want to apply to MIT, Caltech, Northeastern, Berkeley, and UCLA, and I want to major in Physics.

To get back to the original question, while they certainly will look at your 9th grade scores, if your 10th through 12th grade scores are good being a little low in 9th grade isn't going to kill your chances
 
  • #17
Ok cool thanks for the help.
 

Similar threads

Admissions Will poor grades later in my degree affect my chances of doing a PhD?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
My Grade 11 Math mark is eating me alive. What do I do?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
132K
Admissions MIT admission: weight of core subject grades
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
Admissions Am I cooked for graduate school?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Getting Back on Track with Physics Help
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
Admissions Questions Regarding Returning to College After Layoff
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Admissions Should I submit an 840 PGRE in my applications to top US PhD programs?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Schools Question About Relevance of a HBSc degree at UofT Compared to US Universities
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K
Other Math Olympiad Advice Please (I will be 13 years old next year in 9th grade)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Admissions Curious about my grad school prospects
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K