<p>I'm new to the forums, and I wasn't completely sure if this was the right section but was wondering if I could get a little insight on this.</p>
<p>I'm currently a Sophomore and last semester I got a B on my transcript for AP Euro, now halfway into the second semester I've been studying more and so on, so now I have an A.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain how much a B affects your chances into top schools(ex. IVY)? Did I screw up my future college applications?</p>
<p>colleges are more impressed with a five on the ap exam than an A in the class, because different school systems have different grading systems. in other words, someone in florida could get a 91 A (if a 90-100 is an A), while someone in virginia could get a 93 B (if a 94-100 is an A). so technically, the virginia student got a higher grade, but it seems like the florida student did. the ap test is an international exam, and all students take the same test, so that is the TRUE test of knowledge. I personally got a B in ap euro, but a 5 on the exam. my friend got an A in the class but a 4 on the exam. so even though i didn’t do as much work in the class, i knew the material well enough to get a 5. i would focus on getting a 5 as well as an A if you can.</p>
<p>One B won’t get you rejected nor would all A’s won’t get you accepted into the ultra selectives. There’s a lot that goes into all that. An admissions officer friend (of an HYP college) says “You don’t need all As – but mostly A’s” to be in the ballpark.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, took off a lot of pressure on my shoulders.
I started reviewing over the chapters of my prep/text book for the exam today.</p>
<p>*colleges are more impressed with a five on the ap exam than an A in the class, *</p>
<p>however, colleges don’t really look at AP exams for admission, only for credit. I’m assuming they look at it a bit to separate nearly identical applicants, but I don’t think they like a 5 better than an A for admissions.</p>
<p>Plus, Senior year AP tests are taken after decisions are made.</p>
<p>^I’ve also heard that an A is more impressive than a 5–a good AP score validates your A, but the A is preferable. That being said, a B will by no means kill your chances at top schools.</p>
<p>Most schools average out the grades at the end of the year anyways and only put down one on the transcript that ultimately goes to colleges. Odds are they’ll never see the B anyways if you work hard enough to get an A for the year overall.</p>
<p>One B shouldn’t keep you out of a school. Maybe a few would, for the most selective. It also depends on how much grade inflation your school has.</p>
<p>One B? Might as well go work at Mcdonalds for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>I found out I was admitted today and I have had B’s in regular math classes almost every single semester in high school (except in 1st semester of senior year). I also had a B in AP European History.</p>
<p>By the same token, I am not majoring in math, the sciences, or even business. Majoring in Communication will require me to use little to no mathematical skill, so that’s why my situation makes sense.</p>
<p>I would say that, depending on your major, Bs matter in certain subjects. If you’re majoring in Pre-Med or Engineering, then you’d better not have anything less than an A in your math and science classes if you want to get into Cornell. Likewise, if you’re majoring in Communication or English, then a smattering of B’s in English and History classes would not look very good.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that it’s all relative. One B won’t hurt you, no matter what you’re majoring in. Relax, and good luck.</p>