Does getting a B+ in AP Calculus Freshman Year drastically reduce my chances?

When holistic adcoms look at the transcript, a B is generally a B, whether it has a + or - or not. (There can be exceptions.)

Look, you took this as a freshman and the impression can be that you didn’t do A level work, did not learn the material at that level. So, it may affect your learning at the next levels. You can fix that by putting some effort in this summer, to avoid that sort of mistake.

For college, assuming you want a stem major and a highly competitive college, continue taking ever more rigorous math classes and get A grades. That wouldn’t be AP stats.

And remember, “competitive” isn’t just about an admit. It means college classes are also tough. And many freshman stem classes will weed kids out. Get on your game now, rather than later.

You must have signed up for next year’s classes already. I’m just curious which math class you opted to take?

@lookingforward I think I deserved an A, it’s just my teacher…I’m sure I almost aced the AP exam (already checked the FRQ answers, and multiple choice was very, very easy)

@mjrube94 Calc AB is the highest math class at our school, so I’m taking FLVS Calc BC which should be easy, and an easy 5 on the exam as well.

As others pointed out, you didn’t do the work or proofs as the teacher wanted. Wait til you get to college and if it weeds out stem kids, you may not even get instructions. May be tested on material not covered.

Seriously, deal with what IS, not your opinion you learned the material satisfactorily.

What after BC?

Clearly, your teacher does not. File it under “It is what it is / lessons learned.” Your teacher is preparing you for the realities of college (and the workforce for that matter). In college, if the instructor says that assignments are submitted via the drop box, don’t be surprised when he refuses the hard copy you hand him. If the answer for an exam requires 2 significant figures and your answer has 3, expect a deduction. If the instructions say to write your final answer on the cover sheet (or box the final answer, etc.),and you don’t, the grader will not go searching through your scratch paper to guess what you thought the final answer is.

Could you ask your teacher to do the problems that you got wrong on the test with you so you know what to do next time? That way, you learn something, and if he did the exact same thing you did, you could point that out and hopefully get points back. Win win.

Oops, sorry I posted that comment again. So can’t you ask him to do the problem with you and show you the RIGHT way to do it?

@nomood He knows that my way is right, just that he doesn’t like this one small thing I did at the start.

So can you or no? I mean teachers are probably busy at the end of the year but I’m fairly sure that if you asked for help studying for the next test he would help you.

OP, learning, not grade, is the objective to take a course. You probably have a point regarding this particular test, but don’t argue with your teacher. If you did well on the AP exam and you do well in math throughout the rest of your HS years, this B in your freshman year won’t matter to any college, including MIT. You do need, however, to build a solid foundation, especially in math. So, don’t rush. Dive deeper into the subjects. Or participate in math competitions if you enjoy them. That’s how you demonstrate your math competency to schools like MIT or Caltech. Taking courses in differential equations, or linear algebra, etc. at some local college won’t impress them (unless there’re some depths).

@nomood He doesn’t check his emails regularly and I don’t have school this Monday; the test is on Wednesday. I’ll try to go for the 97, but there’s a good chance I won’t get it. It’s the end of the year and I have all these projects due…so stressed out right now.

@1NJParent So what should I do for math courses…I’m taking BC online next year, but I’m not sure what to do junior/senior year. Stats is always a choice.

Regardless of what grade you are in, if you’re struggling in Calc, places like MIT and Caltech probably wouldn’t be a good fit.

@squ1rrel Normally I wouldn’t recommend taking Calc BC after AB, but in your case, it’s probably a good idea. Take a look at the courses offered by AoPS, including the calc course. I’d also recommend the courses on intro combinatorics, intro number theory, or advanced geometry. Their contest prep courses are good too.

@vhsdad I’m not struggling…the AP exam was a piece of cake and I didn’t study much for it. It’s all about the teacher.

@1NJParent What actual math course would I take junior year? If I can’t commute, should I try to find an online Calc 3/Linear Algebra course?

@squ1rrel Linear algebra is taught at all sorts of different levels. What do you want to major in in college? Since you won’t get credit for online courses at schools like MIT, you might as well take some math courses that interest you. Even if you go to a local college to take the Linear Algebra course, you’re unlikely to get credit at MIT, unless it’s as rigorous as the one at MIT as determined by MIT and upon oral examination (for Caltech, you get zero credit for anything not taken at Caltech). If you love math, especially the purer math (the only pure math you’ve encountered is probably geometry thus far), I’d recommend combinatorics, number theory, or more advanced geometry. Linear algebra is also a good option, but make sure it’s taught at a level that’s not just merely for engineers.

@1NJParent Probably Com Sci. Remember I’m not just aiming for MIT, as it’s unlikely I’ll get in. I’m not applying for Caltech. My most likely program seems to be UIUC’s CS + Geography program, as not many people do the program and I have CS and Geography ECs.

I had to look up the CS+GGIS major at UIUC. For that major, your best course is linear algebra. An introductory linear algebra course is probably going to be comparable to UIUC’s Math 225, which is rather application-oriented. Check to see if they give credit for online courses.

Or take Linear Algebra online via UIUC’s NetMath.

I’m taking Differential equations through NetMath and is amazing! I highly recommend it! I don’t know about how high school works but for me, I have Until 9/25/19 to complete it. It’s also amazing because it will transfer the credits and be accepted toward my major in math.

Also, you have to change your attitude when it comes to grades. If you end up not getting the grade you want in the final for Calculus just move on. You’re a freshman and I know at your age you are worried about your performance. Just accept the grade you get in calculus and move on.

An issue is that you’re in a class designed for 16-18 year olds but you’re really 13-14 year old. So, you have the intelligence for the material but are showing your maturity in the way you respond to a difficult teacher.
The teacher may be picky. It doesn’t matter. You can’t say “I deserve an A” or think you can “get points back” which I didn’t know was even possible in an AP class.
Basically, let it go. If you get a 5 on the exam, you’ll be fine. Your B won’t matter, especially if you can get an A in calc BC and, again, a 5.
I agree Linear Algebra is a good choice for jr/sr year, as well as Discrete Math, Combinatorics, calculus-based statistics.