- #61
misskitty
- 737
- 0
Wow, that was a bigger post than I thought! :shock:
Stressed Over School? 3.759 GPA, Top 20 Rank - Help Me Decide!
- Thread starter misskitty
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around a high school senior's concerns about their GPA of 3.759 and its impact on college applications, particularly to prestigious institutions. Participants explore feelings of anxiety regarding academic performance, the significance of GPA, and strategies for approaching college admissions.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Meta-discussion
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses anxiety about their GPA and its implications for college admissions, questioning whether they should feel proud or ashamed of their academic record.
- Another participant advises not to stress and emphasizes the importance of applying to a range of schools, suggesting that the effort put into education matters more than the institution's name.
- Concerns are raised about the impact of personal circumstances, such as health issues, on academic performance and how this should be communicated in applications.
- Some participants share personal experiences of academic struggles and emphasize that GPA is not the sole determinant of future success, particularly in graduate school.
- There is a discussion about the balance between academic dedication and personal well-being, with differing views on the role of social activities like partying in maintaining mental health.
- One participant mentions the importance of enjoying the learning process rather than fixating on grades, while another counters that GPA is still a critical factor for college admissions.
- Several participants agree that intelligence is not solely measured by grades and that personal essays and other factors can significantly influence college acceptance.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the importance of GPA, with some downplaying its significance and others emphasizing its role in college admissions. There is no consensus on the best approach to managing academic stress and expectations.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference personal experiences and varying perspectives on academic performance, indicating that individual circumstances and definitions of success may differ widely. The discussion includes unresolved feelings about the impact of GPA and personal challenges on future opportunities.
Who May Find This Useful
High school students preparing for college applications, educators, and individuals interested in academic performance and mental health discussions may find this thread relevant.
- #62
OptimusPrime
- 54
- 0
I'm a failure. Got bad results today. 
Can't continue as a Math Major!
Can't continue as a Math Major!
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- #63
Moses
- 68
- 0
take it easy man, descions pop-uped and conlcued in moments are not wise 
- #64
OptimusPrime
- 54
- 0
How ironic, Moses himself is giving me advice! 
- #65
graphic7
Gold Member
- 450
- 2
Why are you so concerned about getting into a prominent undergrad school? Contrary to the popular opinion, it doesn't matter all that much. You'll graudate with a Bachelors' degree like we all will, and possibly apply for graduate school (I assume you are, since you're interested about MIT and such).
You'll be able to get into almost any undergrad school with those grades, which will give you that Bachelors' degree; therefore, giving you an almost definite admission into tons of graduate programs. Not all undergrad programs have the same classes or focus, but that's moot for the most part. The undergrad program I'm in is short of a PDE class, complex variables (actually, offered as a special topics course this semester), and a few more. I don't feel too worried about this, though. I'll have a chance to take these courses in grad school.
I had around a 3.25 GPA when I entered as a freshman. Has is it effected me in anyway? No. Do I plan on going to graduate school? Yes. Will my high school GPA effect my admission into the program at all? No.
Edit: This seems to be closely related with the issue of students and AP classes. I've seen too many times a student whose transcript is riddled with AP-this-and-that, 4.0 GPA, 36 ACT score, etc etc, who 1) has no "real" comprehension of the subject material 2) has no real "passion" about the subject, either. It's quite sad.
You'll be able to get into almost any undergrad school with those grades, which will give you that Bachelors' degree; therefore, giving you an almost definite admission into tons of graduate programs. Not all undergrad programs have the same classes or focus, but that's moot for the most part. The undergrad program I'm in is short of a PDE class, complex variables (actually, offered as a special topics course this semester), and a few more. I don't feel too worried about this, though. I'll have a chance to take these courses in grad school.
I had around a 3.25 GPA when I entered as a freshman. Has is it effected me in anyway? No. Do I plan on going to graduate school? Yes. Will my high school GPA effect my admission into the program at all? No.
Edit: This seems to be closely related with the issue of students and AP classes. I've seen too many times a student whose transcript is riddled with AP-this-and-that, 4.0 GPA, 36 ACT score, etc etc, who 1) has no "real" comprehension of the subject material 2) has no real "passion" about the subject, either. It's quite sad.
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- #66
misskitty
- 737
- 0
Graphic7, this is unfortunately true. Especially at my school. It doesn't help anyone if the guidance department approaches these kids to tutor other kids in the same subject they have as an AP class. For example, a senior in AP physics who is tutors a junior in Cp physics. This happens FAR to much. It also doesn't help that the school board could careless about this issue.
OptimusPrime: its ok to get a bad grade! It happens to everyone at some point or another. You'll bounce back! Just don't stop trying!
OptimusPrime: its ok to get a bad grade! It happens to everyone at some point or another. You'll bounce back! Just don't stop trying!
- #67
Andromeda321
- 135
- 0
Misskitty- a colloquium refers to basically a semi-regular event where people get together to exchange ideas in some field. Usually what happens is a speaker is invited to share his knowledge about a topic in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, and then there are a few minutes for questions. They're really cool and I recommend going to them in uni because you can learn a lot! There's usually free tea and cookies too... 
Regarding APs- my school had a rule about them that if you were going to take the AP class you were required to take the AP test. My friends at college think this is incredibly odd until I pointed out to them that AP usually stands for "Admittance Preference" more then anything: have two kids with the exact same application but one has more APs written in front of his classes and that student will be let in. Doesn't matter if the kid learns anything, most kids at the public school in my district got 1s on the rare occasions they took the AP, but it's considered impressive (those kids, by the way, got automatic As for enrolling in AP courses but were not required to take the tests). The only thing a kid learns from such a policy is that life can be BSed and cutting corners and essentially cheating has its rewards. I can't phathom why any university would want to admit such a student.
Regarding APs- my school had a rule about them that if you were going to take the AP class you were required to take the AP test. My friends at college think this is incredibly odd until I pointed out to them that AP usually stands for "Admittance Preference" more then anything: have two kids with the exact same application but one has more APs written in front of his classes and that student will be let in. Doesn't matter if the kid learns anything, most kids at the public school in my district got 1s on the rare occasions they took the AP, but it's considered impressive (those kids, by the way, got automatic As for enrolling in AP courses but were not required to take the tests). The only thing a kid learns from such a policy is that life can be BSed and cutting corners and essentially cheating has its rewards. I can't phathom why any university would want to admit such a student.
- #68
misskitty
- 737
- 0
Earning grades is more important than being given them because you enrolled in a course. I can agree with what your saying.
I can tell you there is no such policy in effect in my district. People who enroll in AP courses are informed and prepared for these classes because of how rigorus they are. Students must have the permission of their parents, advisors, and the teacher of the course. Otherwise they are not admitted into the class. Students are required to learn adn apply the knowledge they gain from participating in the class.
I do agree with what you're saying. I'll have to check out the colloquiums when I go to college. They sound awesome.
I can tell you there is no such policy in effect in my district. People who enroll in AP courses are informed and prepared for these classes because of how rigorus they are. Students must have the permission of their parents, advisors, and the teacher of the course. Otherwise they are not admitted into the class. Students are required to learn adn apply the knowledge they gain from participating in the class.
I do agree with what you're saying. I'll have to check out the colloquiums when I go to college. They sound awesome.
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