A potential problem-

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Okay...so I am taking AP Calc BC this year, but at my school this class has a reputation of being the toughest. The entry requirements extremely challenging--in of a school of 2000+ kids, only around 20 are eligible to take the class. Right now I have a low, low B [unweighted] but this is actually the class average, as few get A's. Actually, our teacher has administered several practice AP exams and I am scoring high 5's on all of them...the exams are easy compared to the class tests.</p>

<p>But...a B- stinks for selective colleges. This is bringing down my gpa [3.9 unweighted] and class rank [class rank 4/570, but it may change]. My question- on an application how would you explain this 'bad grade' that really doesn't match up, especially if I want to show that I'm possibly interested in science/math? I figured someone on here could give me some good advice. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Participating in ECs related to Math and Science would help I guess. Colleges also look at the rigour of the courses, so I wouldn't worry.</p>

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<p>I'm in a similar situation. In a graduating class of 326, 7 are in calculus BC.</p>

<p>(Only seniors are eligible to take this class)</p>

<p>One, the valedictorian, has a B+. I have a B-, and everyone else had C's or D's.</p>

<p>The teacher claims she puts this intensity in her class to prepare us for the AP, which she claims we can all get 5's on.</p>

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<p>This is ridiculous. The teacher doesn't need to make getting a 5 on the AP be the equivalent of getting a C in the class.</p>

<p>At this point it may be too late to drop, but if you could, personally, I'd drop the class and study for the AP test on my own. There is no sense in letting this one course drop your GPA significantly (and, obviously, also affect how you do in your other courses).</p>

<p>Just my view, you understand.</p>

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<p>If you were referring to me at all:</p>

<p>I'm not going to drop that class when I'm applying to top engineering schools. Impossible to explain that. I'm just going to have to do better, that's all.</p>

<p>I think that's what the OP has to do too. Just try harder. It's a tough class. Mid year reports are basically done though, so the rest of his/her grades won't affection admission, unless they decline dramatically.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input/advice so far.</p>

<p>Xeniese--same here. Both the valedictorian and salutatorian [of my junior class] are taking it, so my rank probably won't slide too much, as they are struggling too. Although gpa may be a problem. But besides dropping out [which I can't do at this point] is there any way to possibly account for this on a college app? Or do colleges weight the AP exam more than a grade recieved in the class? Because the top engineering/science schools expect A's in calculus...</p>