Receiving a bad grade on a test can be a bummer. Receiving bad grades on report cards, especially in high school, can have lasting effects on the future of your education. Too many and you could lose out on getting into your dream school and your options can be limited. And for some schools, even just less than top grades can feel like a detriment.
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So what can you do? Well, it’s important to first remember that grades aren’t everything when it comes to college applications. While they do matter, there are steps you can take to strengthen your overall application. First, let’s review what you can do when you receive a bad grade on a report card and then dive into improving your college application outside of grades.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Bad Grade?
Whether you received a bad grade on a major project, a test, or your report card, there are steps you can take to try to rectify the problem. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Talk to Your Teacher
When you receive a bad grade, you should always talk to your teacher first. You should ask why you received the poor assessment and get feedback on how you can improve in the future.
It’s important to talk to your teacher as soon as you notice your grades slipping. This will be one of the fastest ways to rectify the situation. However, never demand a higher grade or argue with the teacher about constructive feedback. This is a good way to burn bridges and lose out on opportunities to elevate your grade. Some teachers will reward extra effort, and, if they notice you putting in hard work, will raise your grade simply for that reason. Students, though, need to always be respectful when discussing their grades.
2. Complete Extra Credit
Many teachers offer extra credit to students. Some have general extra credit options that students can complete at any time, and other opportunities may arise after you talk to them. Do any extra credit you can get your hands on! Taking this intuitive shows the teacher you’re dedicated to raising your grades. And even if you have decent or good grades, that extra credit could provide the little boost you need to earn a top grade in your class!
3. Meet With Your Guidance Counselor
For some students, poor grades come from outside influences. They could be stressed, dealing with a family emergency, or another event. Guidance counselors can help you work with teachers and get the resources you need to not only improve your grades but seek help for what you’re going through. They are there to help you with more than selecting your classes at the end of each year. If you’re struggling, meet with your guidance counselor to review your options. They may come up with a solution you didn’t even think of!
4. Create a Plan for Next Time
If your bad grade is the result of poor planning, aiming to do better next time is key. This means getting your assignments out of the way sooner rather than later, completing all your homework, doing your reading before the day of, and studying. If you tend not to use a planner to track your work, now is the time to. If you don’t have a calendar on your wall with important dates noted, you might just want to add one. Even just creating a rough plan (that you stick to) is better than none!
5. Ask for Help
If bad grades are a result of your not understanding the subject matter, seek out help. A friend or a parent can likely help if you take the time to ask. You can also talk to your teacher about extra assistance or even tutor programs your school may have. And if possible, a third-party tutor may be able to help you buckle down and understand the subject matter.
How to Improve Your College Application if You Have Weaker Grades?
If the time has passed though to rectify your grades, you might be worried – how will those lower-than-ideal grades from sophomore year affect your college acceptance chances?
Well, thankfully, there are still things you can do. These are just a few ideas you’ll want to tackle.
1. Don’t Ignore It – Talk About Your Bad Grades With the College
As much as you try to ignore it, your bad grades are going to be right there in the transcripts colleges require for their applications. Instead of trying to bury the poor results, be honest and forthcoming with them. Explain the situation or mitigating circumstances that caused you to lose your focus. Colleges will understand and may be willing to overlook those grades, especially if you’ve shown improvement since then or there is evidence they were a one-time slip-up.
For example, if you were a poorer student in your first year of high school but turned it around in the following years, you can actually talk about that in your college application essay. Why did you turn it around? How? And how are you committed to keeping that streak going?
2. Ace the Standardized Tests
High test scores can tip the scales in your favor so put in the effort required to get the highest scores you can. Scoring well on the ACT or SAT will give your application a much-needed boost. To elevate your scores, take practice tests, consider working with a tutor, and work on your weaker points on the exams. By performing well on these exams, you can show the school you have what it takes to perform well in college.
3. Use Extracurricular Activities to Bridge the Gap
As stated previously, grades aren’t everything when it comes to college applications. While they certainly do matter, they’re not going to be enough to get you into top colleges – even if you have a 4.0!
Extracurricular activities are a must, especially if your report cards have a few lower grades. They give weight to any application and they will become even more important if you’re trying to make up for bad grades. Consider volunteering, tutoring students in studies you excel in, joining clubs, participating in sports, and more. Colleges and universities are looking for students who are a part of their school and community outside of the classroom.
4. Get the Best Recommendation Letters You Can
While you cannot dictate what goes into the letter, there are things you can do to help ensure it puts you in a good light, shows you’re committed to your education in spite of less-than-ideal grades, and could possibly even explain why you received those poorer results. It comes down to selecting the right mentors in your life. This could be a teacher, a guidance counselor, a group leader, or another mentor. It should be someone that knows you, your goals, your struggles, and your achievements. This will help them write a well-rounded recommendation letter that elevates you as a student.
Bad grades in high school don’t have to spell the end of your college goals. Grades are not the end all be all of college applications. While they do matter and you should absolutely always aim to get the best ones you can get, don’t beat yourself up because you performed lower than expected or you made mistakes. Now is the best time to start turning it around if you haven’t already.
Colleges and universities are looking for a variety of things from their students, but how do you know if you’re a good match for a school or not? How will you be able to estimate your acceptance rate? Our College Match tool allows you to input your information, goals, and more to help you assess the best schools out there for you. And it’s absolutely free! Start here.
