5 Ways To Address A Bad Grade On Your College Application

“Bad” can be a very relative term, particularly when attached to high school grades.

Dave Bergman, ED.D.

For high-achieving teens with their eyes on gaining acceptance into a prestigious college, an A- or B might feel like the onset of Armageddon. For average high school students, a “bad” grade may result in an objectively poor outcome, like a D or F. In reality, two students can receive a C on the same day and pass each other in the hallway — one crying tears of joy, the other wailing in despair.

To ensure that this article is of relevance to your student, whomever he or she happens to be, let’s define a bad grade as one that is significantly lower than your student’s typical academic performance — a relative blemish on an otherwise consistent record of achievement. Consider sharing these tips with your student.