<p>Im in ib and my english class is just a TON of busywork. if i aim to get a B, then i can take a lot of stress off of myself (since it involves doing lots of time consuming things, but this way i could be more flexible and i KNOW i wouldnt learn less so thats not an issue), would this hurt my chances at top ivies + etc.? </p>
<p>and if it would, would it matter that much since by the time i send my mid year report and a school gets it its like the middle of february.</p>
<p>definitely, ivies only consider 4.0 students, (no b’s)</p>
<p>Would you be the same sabortooth1 who didn’t know what HYPS meant until earlier today? Blatant ■■■■■ imo.</p>
<p>Anyway, a single B in your senior year won’t matter THAT much. But that you’re even considering aiming to get a B so you’ll have less work to do indicates to me that you might not really be prepared to go to an Ivy League college.</p>
<p>amarkov: I agree with you that a single B, especially not until Feb, is not a detractor. However, as an incredibly motivated learner with a spotty record who got into Harvard and UChicago, I have to disagree with you on the preparation factor. High school busywork is mostly meaningless and completely unlike the sorts of fascinating assignments you actually <em>want</em> to do at a good college, and lacking the motivation to make yet another diorama or fill in yet another vocab sheet at 17 or 18 is far less the mark of someone who cannot cut it, far more that of someone who’s ready to move on to real education. It’s ridiculous the sorts of irrelevant hoops some high school teachers make you jump through for that A, while completely ignoring actual crafted writing or thoughtful research. This is part of why the Ivies don’t mind a few spots on an otherwise strong record - I think it more frequently indicates silly classes than an inept or unmotivated learner.</p>
<p>Well yes, high school teachers do sometimes make you jump through useless hoops to get an A. I don’t deny that. But the kind of people who do well at the best colleges generally struggle for that grade, even if they do have to jump through stupid hoops to do it. I think I came across as harsher than I intended to though, and I apologize for that.</p>
<p>yeah mathgrad describes my class accurately (since the class is like making (literally) thousands of flashcards and stuff and decorating them and stuff, so you can really control your grade), so im really not in any position to spend that much time on that class. ive gotten straight As, and since my app would get initial looks already (since itd be february already), im thinking it shouldnt matter too much. besides, i can spend way more time doing app essays haha.</p>
<p>A friend of mine got into Harvard with I think 3 Bs…he’s a recruited athlete though. So, decide for yourself I suppose</p>
<p>^ Oh man, I got into Harvard with so many more than 3 Bs… and I can’t do sports to save my life.</p>
<p>Yes, it would hurt your chances at top schools.</p>