Mid-Year Report... how bad?

<p>How important is the Mid-Year Report? During 3 years of high school, I've held a 4.0uw GPA. On the Mid-Year report, however, I will receive my first B+. My rank will drop down to 2 -- .006 behind the valedictorian.... How much will this hurt me, especially because it's the last semester and the rank is dropped down to 2? It's a Bio 233 class, which has never before been taken by a high school kid at my school and I was the only teenager in a room with 30 year olds.
Here's my other credentials.. should you need them...:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=288985%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=288985&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Mid-Year Report:
Calculus II (Math 116 at University of Michigan- Dearborn) -- A
Forensic Science (at DCMST) -- A
Anatomy and Physiology (Biology 233 at Community College) -- B+
Advanced Placement Literature/Composition (Home High School) -- A
Advanced Placement Environmental Science (Home High School) -- A
World Civlization (Home High School - State Mandated) -- A</p>

<p>My counselor checked that I have the most demanding courseload available, although the classes I have taken are not all weighted.</p>

<p>What do you think of my counselor submitting a note explaining the difficulty of the class (to explain the B+), and then explaining the EC, work, and home circumstances that she and I felt prevented me from taking the extra AP/weighted class that would have ensured my rank of 1? -- as I do have many more responsibilities than the current valedictorian does (shown in the thread above).</p>

<p>How heavily is the Mid-Year report weighted for admission to Princeton?</p>

<p>Dude, there's no need to worry about your class rank. In my opinion, being a valedictorian does not even remotely increase one's chances of admission (Nearly half of all valedictorians who apply get rejected every year, so I heard). Since you already have good grades, it all boils down to other factors like your ECs and stuff. And of course, your ESSAYS and Recommendations are very, very important.</p>

<p>And yes, your counselor should submit a note if possible. Your mid-year report shouldn't matter too much as long as you still have respectable grades, which you do. </p>

<p>And after looking at your stats, which by the way are amazing ;) I'd say you have a good chance of getting into many places, though ultimately, admissions is really arbitrary and depends on luck. </p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, what makes you prefer harvard to all the other schools? Why not Princeton?</p>

<p>To be honest, I just know Cambridge better, so I really don't prefer Harvard. In reality, I would be just as happy at Princeton than I would be at Harvard.</p>

<p>So you think the note would be helpful...? Others felt that it may accent the B+ too much, and make me come off as uptight..? I don't see how this could be since it would be my GC who would write it and wouldn't explaining that the B+ was in a hard class be better than just leaving the grade to explain itself?</p>

<p>albert87, i think it's even lower than 1/2 of valedictorians that get accepted (only like 25%). But either way, that's a lot better than the 10% of all appalicants that get in. </p>

<p>aroundmyway, I don't think that will hurt you at all. Strength of schedule is more important that B+ or A. Good luck!</p>

<p>I guess at this point in time, B+ isn't going to make much of a difference to your application. The tipping factor would be your essays, recommendation letters etc.</p>

<p>In my opinion, it doesn't matter whether you send the note or not. No harm done even if you send it.</p>

<p>wow. i read your other thread. you have a great record. and your essays sound really interesting. i would NOT worry about the B+ if i were you, but obviously if you really think you need the explanation i'm sure that would be ok.
good luck</p>

<p>I don't mean to be rude, but are you serious? Let's put this in perpective. You have gotten one B+ in your entire high school career, and it was in an upper level college course. Relax, and don't try to "justify" your B+ with a note. You are obviously academically qualififed to get into Princeton. After a certain point, class rank is meaningless anyway. If you don't get into Princeton, it will not be because they think you can not handle the academic work.</p>

<p>Do they also require a Displinary Action record (for OSS, ISS, etc.) of you from your school, along with the Mid Years?</p>

<p>I don't believe they do at my school, but aren't you supposed to report those incidents regardless? I think it was stated on the supplement.</p>