GPA Concerns
Last year, I attended a MYP school and unfortunately, my transcript shows that I failed two compulsory subjects: art and design. Despite excelling in all my other classes, these two courses are marked as failures, resulting in no credits being awarded. The main reason for my struggles in these subjects was a two-week hospitalization due to pneumonia. When I requested the school to remove these failures from my report card, they outright refused.
Now that I’m at a new school (the top institution in my country) and enrolled in AP classes, I’m worried that last year’s report will hinder my future opportunities. I’m concerned about how colleges will calculate my GPA. Will those failed art and design courses negatively impact my overall GPA?
I’m sorry to hear about your situation—it sounds really challenging. Generally, when it comes to GPA calculations, schools have different policies. In many cases, a failing grade in a course can negatively impact your GPA, especially if it’s included on your transcript. However, since you were hospitalized and had a legitimate reason for your performance, some schools may consider that context, particularly if you provide documentation about your situation.
Here are some steps you can take:
Contact your new school counselor: They can provide guidance on how your previous transcript will be evaluated and whether they can help explain your circumstances to potential colleges.
Check college policies: Different colleges have varying policies regarding GPA calculations and understanding students’ circumstances. Many colleges will consider the context of your grades when evaluating your application.
Consider an appeal: If possible, consider discussing your situation with your previous school’s administration again to see if they might be willing to make an exception or provide a supplemental explanation for your transcript.
Focus on your new coursework: Since you’re excelling in AP classes at a top school, great performance in those can help offset the impact of the failed courses when you apply to colleges.
Explain in your applications: If the application allows, provide a brief explanation of your circumstances in your college essays or additional information section.
Strengthen other parts of your application: Focus on building a strong overall application through extracurriculars, recommendations, and standardized test scores, which can help showcase your abilities beyond GPA alone.
Colleges are often understanding of difficult situations, so make sure to communicate your story clearly when the time comes. Good luck!