<p>Hi guys-- This year was not good for me in physics. I have a B+ right now and I'm trying EXTREMELY hard to get it up to an A-. I slacked off, completely my mistake, and now my previously straight-A transcript has a B- obviously not good for colleges like Yale or Stanford, my top choices. I do, however, plan to take the Physics SATII, and I've been doing well on the practice tests. If I get a 780+ on the Physics SATII, then will that justify a not-so-good grade in the class? Will colleges see that I'm still quite good at physics, despite the fact that I may have slipped up here or there in the actual class? Thanks.</p>
<p>“…and now my previously straight-A transcript has a B- obviously not good for colleges like Yale or Stanford…”</p>
<p>This is completely untrue. It is FINE if you have a B in a class; that one B is not going to be the cause of your rejection to one of these schools.</p>
<p>Though many people applying to HYPSM do have straight A grades, there’s no need to worry, as many many other people have gotten into these schools with a “not-so-good grade” in ONE class. It’s just one class, and your transcript has straight A’s previously, so you really don’t need to worry.</p>
<p>And yes, they will see that you are still a decent physics student judging by that SAT score. You’ll just have to show that you are, somehow, a more worthy applicant than the next kid applying with no B’s ;)</p>
<p>Oh how do we brainwash people like you into the truth… its seems like the penultimate goal of CC.</p>
<p>I have given more than enough satirical, or false answers to threads like this. But I’m tired, and need a nap. </p>
<p>So… the bottom line is this. You don’t need a perfect transcript to get into the most selective colleges in the United States. I got 2 B’s, both in non-AP classes (while getting A’s in AP classes) and I got in EA to Yale. There… a personal example. Now rest easy.</p>
<p>780 is only 86th percentile. If you get that, 14% of those who take it are as good as or better than you. And Yale’s admit rate is 8%.</p>
<p>But yeah dude, 4.0s are not required. Spend less time worrying and more time getting your work done. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I got 750 in Math IIC… less than 80th percentile…</p>