<p>Hi,
During my junior year of high school, I had some personal problems and I received B's in Ap bio, chem, and bc calc. BC calc was a tough class, but I am taking multivariable with the same teacher right now and I'm pulling a 102%, so I think that his letter of recommendation will communicate to colleges that the particular class was hard, and that I am actually good at math (the teacher likes me). However, I don't really have anything to buff my AP science grades, which is detrimental considering that I am applying to MIT as a bio major. How can I effectively show colleges that the B's in my AP science courses was really due to personal problems, and that I am actually good at science? I took the satII for bioE, bioM, and chem and got 800s on all of them already. I may be able to take college biology II and chemistry II online from my community college, but I don't think that these classes are quite up to par with the rigor of a high school AP class. How can I redeem my bad grades in AP chemistry and biology by college applications are due?</p>
<p>The grades are past history. If you love science, hopefully you are engaged in research or have other science-related ECs in which you are a star, have an essay that focuses on what you bring to the field, and can produce letters of rec that state that you have a creative and original mind that would be a major asset to MIT. Extra classes in bio and chem at the cc aren’t going to be very meaningful in terms of showing what makes you unique and different from all the other smart kids who are applying. If the personal problems were significant (parents divorce, major ill health), your guidance counselor can mention them in his or her rec. </p>
<p>I’m not saying don’t apply to MIT, but realistically, applicants with 4.0s and high test scores get turned down all the time so assume it’s a serious reach and have a solid list of other schools to apply to.</p>