<p>Math has been my strongest subject and even after the Calc BC test I thought I would get 4 or 5. So, turns out I got a 3 with a AB subscore of 3. I'm assuming this could hurt my chances...</p>
<p>Should I report it? Is a 3 really THAT bad? Should I include a note or something on the app?</p>
<p>What would your note say? There isn't anything to explain. A 3 will not keep you out of any school. You do not need to report the score if you don't want to, but if you do it will not keep you out.</p>
<p>Damn man...nice bust...include something at least..</p>
<p>Hmm... two very different replies...</p>
<p>I'd just report it, they might notice if you don't.</p>
<p>I got a 2 in Spanish, if that gives you something :D.</p>
<p>I'm reporting it, because my other scores were good, and if they reject me for something that stupid, then obviously MIT isn't as cool as I thought it'll be.</p>
<p>I was snooping around a bit on the Ask the Dean and found this:</p>
<p>"College admission officials--even in elite schools--are quick to empathize with AP Calc BC students. If there's one dip in grades they're not likely to hold against a candidate, it's there."</p>
<p>I think I'll go ahead and report it. If I don't write anything at all they will think that I didn't even take the AP test - which could be worse. Thanks for all your comments.</p>
<p>i mean.. single and multivariable calculus are required courses at MIT, and they are much harder than the AP test; so a 3 is a weak score by MIT standards.. but it might not factor into your admissions, unless in the early rounds the school decides that you simply aren't cut out for the math</p>
<p>Well, apparently you took it junior year, so that would be something kind of impressive to slightly offset the bad score. Just go ahead and report it. As long as your science AP's are mostly 5's I don't think they'll get too concerned.</p>
<p>Okay, here's the deal - you self-report your AP scores. I actually just "forgot" to mention my 2s on AP Physics, and by the time I sent the scores (and you actually can have a single score withheld forever if you want as though you never took the test), I'd already been admitted. It's not like you should tell them you got a 5 (DEFINITELY NOT) but there's really nothing wrong with withholding it if you're that worried. Personally, I wouldn't recommend worrying as much as you are, but I know telling a kid applying to MIT not to worry is just wasting my breath. :)</p>
<p>"It's not like you should tell them you got a 5 (DEFINITELY NOT) but there's really nothing wrong with withholding it if you're that worried. "</p>
<p>You mean a 3 not a 5 right? </p>
<p>The thing is that I don't have that many AP tests since I'm doing IB diploma and I'll only have 2 by the time I send in the app and 4 by the end of senior year...</p>
<p>... I mean that if you got a 3, don't lie about it and say you got a 5 but you can withhold it if you choose. If you actually got a 5, of course you should tell them about it ;)</p>
<p>So are 4's considered acceptable? I have gotten 4's on every test I have taken (can't seem to get that 5)</p>
<p>4s don't really "stand out" at MIT-level schools but they're perfectly okay, no reason to not include them.</p>
<p>Certainly 4s are "acceptable". The only 4 MIT will offer credit for is Calc BC, however. (And that's for the current incoming class, the website makes very clear that they make no guarantees that the AP credit policy will remain the same for future incoming classes.)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that no one institution is going to accept/reject an applicant on the basis of one score. MIT, like many other institutions of higher learning, looks at the whole picture.</p>
<p>I got a 2 on AP Calc BC. As long as you have something to show that you can do math well enough to do the GIRs (I had strong SAT and SAT II math scores), you're fine.</p>
<p>Are you applying to MIT, or are you currently enrolled there? What are GIRs?</p>
<p>Jessie is going to be a senior at MIT this year.</p>
<p>GIRs = General Institute Requirements, the courses all MIT students are required to take.</p>
<p>They are
2 semesters physics (mechanics and E&M)
2 semesters calc (single- and multivariable)
1 semester bio
1 semester chem
2 restricted electives in science/technology
1 semester lab
8 semesters humanities, arts, and/or social sciences</p>