<p>I'm currently a senior and I applied to several Ivies + MIT and Stanford. I just recently finished some dual-enrollment coursework at the Large state university (the highest ranked public school in my state and is actually a fairly competitive school to get into these days) and received an A in multivariable calculus but only a B in differential equations due to the fact that I had a very strange/difficult professor. I'm slightly worried that this will significantly hurt my chances at top schools as I'm applying as a prospective math major. Also, this B brings my UW GPA from a 3.92 to a 3.88 and my class rank from 7th/450 to probably 10th or 11th. My SAT scores are solid: 2290 (including 800 math) and 800 in Math II. I'm also an AIME qualifier and have won 25+ local and state math team awards. I never expected to get a B in a math class, but unfortunately it happened. My real issue with this B is that my application is completely centered about me being a 'math guy' - my EC's are very math related, my common app essay is about math, many of my awards are math related, etc. Next semester I plan on taking Linear algebra and a number theory class if that makes a difference. Overall, I still feel like I'm academically qualified at these schools I'm just wondering what you guys think about how admissions committees will perceive my grade.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar situation; I’m taking multivariable calculus and linear algebra (online. I’m nowhere close to a state university. Or a private one, for that matter).</p>
<p>The B will absolutely NOT hurt you AT ALL. If you’re taking these classes that are MUCH more rigorous than what your peers are taking, colleges will way that much more heavily than going from top 2% class rank to top 3% class rank.</p>
<p>Your essays will make a much larger impact than a B in diff eq.</p>
<p>I think many colleges understand issues like this. I think Ivy League colleges focus more on Weighted vs UW, and will see how hard that class was and understand. I have this teacher that my Senior friend had last year for APUSH and my friend recently just got accepted to Brown and he had gotten B’s the first semester…</p>
<p>You really shouldn’t care much about the B because your GPA weighted is probably over 4.0!
Good luck getting in!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. My weighted GPA is currently 4.82 and I’m ranked 7th but with this B I’ll have a 4.80 and be ranked about 10th or 11th in my class of 450</p>
<p>
Nope. As all high schools weight differently, they will not focus on weighted except vis a vis other students in your school.</p>
<p>Whether you get accepted or rejected will not be because of one B.</p>
<p>I that right @skieurope? If I took all regular classes, which can be somewhat easy and manage to get all A’s… I could go to Harvard? I really think most look at Weigher to see that some kids challenged themselves instead of easier courses.</p>
<p>@Nigoni As I said, it is within the context of your school. If you took all regular classes, it is unlikely that your GC will rate your schedule as “most rigorous” on the Secondary School Report.</p>
<p>As I said, all schools are different. My school does not weight at all, so an A in Differential Equations carries the same weight as an A in non_AP calculus. Ivy League Admissions Officers are still able to figure it out and make admissions offers to students here.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies guys. Anyone else?</p>