<p>I've always wanted to go to MIT.
Didn't have a lot of time last semester junior year, didn't focus on Calc BC since it was one of my easier subjects, got a B.
Strong math/science extracurriculars.
Straight A's in math before this.
Probably a 5 on the AP Test.
I want to go into a strongly math related direction.</p>
<p>Am I screwed for MIT?
Should I talk about this in my app?</p>
<p>Well obviously its not the best thing that can happen, but I dont think that one B can be the deciding factor to keep you out of MIT.</p>
<p>If you have mostly all other As in other classes, and you get a 5 on the AP test, people might just assume you had a really hard teacher.</p>
<p>Also, there are other ways to show that you are good at math. What did you get on SAT Math on the Reasoning and Subject tests? Also, have you taken AMC before? </p>
<p>For example, one of my friends, in 10th grade now, missed Blue MOP by 1 point this year (really really good) and DID NOT even get an A in Calc BC one of the semesters. When it comes down to admissions two years down the line, I am sure the admissions people will look at his other math factors and see that that A might be a fluke.</p>
<p>Now, of course, I dont expect you to be that good (missing Blue MOP by 1 point), but if you show that you are good in other areas (Math contests, Math research perhaps-although that is very hard unless you can find a beast professor, and even your other math grades), then I dont think it will affect you negatively too much.</p>
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<p>No.</p>
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<p>No, it’s not worth it, and you’ll look neurotic and like you have no sense of perspective.</p>
<p>If you had a consistently mediocre record in math, or had done poorly in everything math-related the whole year, it would be different. But if the rest of your math stats are as you described, you’ve shown that you have math ability. MIT understands the concept of outliers and flukes.</p>
<p>I’ve people talk about discussing different circumstances that affected their high school life on their app?</p>
<p>Its probably not like “I was lazy so that accounts for my bad grade”…but what would these type of circumstances be like?</p>
<p>And what are you doing for math senior year? Challenge yourself with something like linear algebra or multivariable calculus and I bet they don’t even notice that one semester blip. They’ll see what you’re doing now.</p>
<p>My S took AP Calc BC as a sophomore and did well (A/A, 5) and his math teacher suggested he take the more rigorous route. He just completed linear algebra and discovered it may have been the tipping point in his getting a summer internship with a USC Earth Sciences professor because he commented on it strongly.</p>
<p>S believes MIT it too tech oriented for him, however, so he’s applying other more “balanced” places. His opinion.</p>
<p>Just a thought.</p>
<p>What about physics? Does a B+ in physics (in jr year) basically mean I should not apply to MIT (even if I want to major in Bio)?</p>
<p>Seriously, it doesn’t matter what class you get a B in, it’s not going to make or break your app. (Unless, as Jessie said, you have only ever gotten mediocre or poor grades- one fluke less-than-stellar grade will really, really not make much of a difference. I promise.)</p>
<p>Well overall my UW GPA is ~3.9 and 2130 SAT</p>
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