<p>After reading that Sports Illustrated Article, how much does 1 B Matter? I somehow fell below the cut and hit a 89.3 in Organic Chem this first semester, and grades have been sent off. Unfortunately Caltech will probably only see this as a "B", and I feel like it will make me seem as if I've digressed. I've gotten All A's everywhere, and I feel so hurt. How much will they care?!?!?!</p>
<p>B's aren't great, but people get in with a B here and there all the time, and what matters much more is the overall strength of your record and the evidence of your passion and abiilty in science. Don't fret about a single grade. We look more broadly than that :)</p>
<p>Ha how about my almost all B's for the first 3 semesters? I got straight A's for the rest of high school, but I think I'm already out. Rising trend right? (lol)</p>
<p>So yeah, am I basically going to be rejected? (well, im just a junior, and i havnt applied) </p>
<p>Also is it just Caltech? Or are all top colleges as tough in terms of grades? Are adcoms at harvard just going to laugh at my record?</p>
<p>*I got B's for the first 3 semesters of school. I took all Honors classes (the most rigorous courseload) Now I'm taking the most Ap classes in my school and am getting straight A's. I have no excuse.</p>
<p>You were apparently lazy/immature at the beginning of high school, since you're doing so well now? It would be important to demonstrate a lot of maturity now to show you've made up for it, but I see nothing serious precluding your admission into any top school provided your current pluses outweigh your past minuses.</p>
<p>Well, I only did 3 EC's in Freshman and Sophmore year, but I am working very hard to make up for it now (I'm involved deeply in a lot of clubs) Aside from that and "averageness" in my test scores, I'm good. (I also, have a few strong pluses, but because I don't want this to turn into a chance thread, I'll stop)</p>
<p>Also, I realize the word "plethora" might have been more concise and fitting in that sentance (I really do have an abundance of clubs now) but I made a pact with myself a few years ago to never use that word.</p>
<p>Thank You Ben! You have been most helpful.</p>