2 Bs....not normally bad, but what about Caltech?

<p>First off, I'm only a junior.
I only have a couple Bs in high school. 1 in spanish, 1 in geometry, and 1 in world history (I think), each only for 1 semester.
This semester, however, I have a mid-B in Calc BC and computer science AB. Both of these are known as hard courses, and people always say a B or two will NOT hurt your chances anywhere, but I've also heard that a B in a math class at Caltech is very detrimental to chances.
Anyway, could anyone address this? I know people are going to say im paranoid, but to add on to my original concern is that these two classes are my passion; I have research done in computer science, as well as competitions and awards done. Calc BC, although nothing to the degree of CS, is also one of my favorite classes. I plan to take Calc II and III at a university next year.</p>

<p>I guess my question is that even though Bs in math classes are rare at Caltech, is there a spot on the app to say that even though I had a B, the class average is lower than my grade?</p>

<p>I'm not an expert but from what I've seen on these message boards, 2 Bs in math/science classes junior year are far away from the norm. Depending on how prestigious the awards are, they make overlook them, but I sure wouldnt count on it. Try to pull both of them up to an A ASAP before grades go in for the first semester. Also, don't bother mentioning to them that your grade is higher than the class average. Unless you come from an uber-competitive high school, this should almost always be the case in math/science classes for Caltech applicants. That "always" sounds extreme, but caltech applicants are usually die hard math/science freaks whereas most kids in classes like Bc calc do not live for math. In fact, most of the ppl in my BC calc class last year either hate math or are apathetic towards it. Given that you will always take courses with ppl who hate them, if you are very passionated about the subject you should do much better than them.</p>

<p>Also, just out of curiosity why would you take Calc II if you've taken BC Calc. Typically, Calc I is like diffentiation and limits, Calc II is integration sequences and series, and CAlc III is multivariable. I've also seen someone call differential equations Calc IV, although I don't believe this to be the norm. BC Calc covers integration/sequenes/series, so dependig on how well you do on the AP test, you should recieve credit for both CAlc I and II. Then you can take Calc III your first semester, and I would recommend taking linear algebra second semester. Some might say to take diff. eqns. but as you use a lot of linear algebra in diff eqns. I would suggest taking LA first. You also might want to consider taking Calc 3 and LA simultaneously, and then diff eqns second semester. But hey, its your senior course schedule not mine :P. Good luck with everything, and sorry for rambling :).</p>

<p>To be honest, I'm not sure what calc I'll be taking next year, but there is a program set up for students like me who take BC in junior year or prior and want to continue, though as I said, Im honestly not sure what class this actually is, though I am sure it includes Calc III....</p>

<p>My school is very competitive; the school has I believe 2nd highest SAT scores in the state, and admits around 10 to ivy schools every year, plus schools such as MIT (2 admitted last year), rice, etc... I'm not sure what else I can say to address the competitiveness of the school.</p>

<p>As for the awards, I would consider them somewhat prestigious; 1st place in state level science fair, and my research was a paid position at a Ga Tech computer science research lab, which I plan to do again in the upcoming summer.</p>

<p>If I get an A next semester in those two classes, would you say my chances are hurt at all by the first semester grades? I've had low A/high B in all math classes I've taken in HS, so I realize my chances may be affected due to this.I have maintained a low/mid A's in ap physics B and ap stat this semester, and ap bio (scored 5) last year has a high A, and I plan to take ap chem and physics C next year, so throughout HS, I have a very heavy load of science/math classes; I'll have a total of 7 AP or higher level math and science classes by the end of HS.</p>

<p>you have to realized that most people applying to Caltech do not have any B's in math and science classes.
No matter how competitive your school is, you should still get A's in Calc BC and Comp Sci. They are pretty basic stuff, especially for Caltech students.
Also realize that for many people who are applying to Caltech, taking Calc BC junior year is pretty normal.</p>

<p>Yes, you will be hurt by your B's... it IS your junior year, the most recent grades the colleges can get.
There is really nothing much more you can do about your this semester grade. Make sure you get A's next semester, and hopefully the teacher likes you and maybe get a rec from one of them next year.</p>

<p>It's certainly not a plus, especially in Calc, but a B in math or science isn't an automatic reject, as I know from my own experience in AP Comp sci.</p>

<p>Dude, the stuff at Caltech is infinitely harder than calc bc, and it seems as though the typical Caltech admits are people who ace the hardest math science curriculum their school offers while doing extra stuff on the side. Even if you get into Tech, are you sure you'll be cut out for it?</p>