<p>If we're even considering applying to a school such as MIT, we probably loathe the grade B. The reason I am posting this is that I received a B both semesters this year in the same class, a class that I can't seem to do well in. I don't know why I can't seem to do well, but I definitely have not slacked off. So here's my question: how much do these matter? I'm currently a sophomore in high school and have decent EC's and SAT's(2200's currently without intense prep, ultimate goal of 2300+). For the rest of high school, I most likely won't get a B again unless I get super unlucky. I feel awfully miserable right now because of this. The worst thing is, I'm an Asian male. If I get no more B's for the rest of high school, will my chances be significantly hurt by these B's? I promise that I'm not a grade-obsessed machine with no EC passion. I have a few activities in which I am committed to and will more than likely hold leadership positions later in high school. How will adcoms at top universities such as MIT react to my grades? I am very distressed because I have failed to achieve my goal of a 4.0 GPA in high school :(</p>
<p>Thanks for any input</p>
<p>you’re worrying too much. 2 B’s won’t change your chances by too much. My friend got into MIT and he wasn’t even close to a 4.0 (although he did have that 2300+ on his SAT, which definitely helped)</p>
<p>It probably matters what class it is that you earned a B in. If it is related to math/science, then that would look a bit worse than, say, english or history, if you’re applying to an engineering school that is. Either way, one B is still very insignificant and the 4.0 is probably the most overrated status in admissions. Colleges understand that sometimes students get stuck with a teacher that is very difficult, or that a particular class just isn’t the right working environment for them. If it apepars as a fluke, then colleges will judge it as a fluke.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. The B’s were in AP world history if it matters. My teacher used the collegeboard rubric for the essays and I was pretty bad at writing them. My average in that category was like a low C. :(</p>
<p>do colleges group english together with spanish? i love english, and will probably major in it, yet i currently have a B average in spanish. will this be viewed more negatively than say a B in math?</p>