<p>So I'm pretty sure that this first term in AP Calc AB, I'm not going to be getting an A D: Prob an 88 or 89.</p>
<p>Throughout high school, I've been defined by 89's and B+'s in math and science.</p>
<p>(highest level of courses possible for them)
Bio: 89
Chem: 88
Physics: 89
AP Chem: 85 (5 on AP)
AP Bio: (for the first time hopefully a 90+)</p>
<p>Geometry: 90
Algebra II: 85
Pre-cal: 88
AP Calc: 88-89
AP Stats: (again, hopefully 90+)</p>
<p>I've also gotten a 760 on Math SAT II, 770 on Chem SAT II, 5 on AP Chem (and Chem teacher is going to write a rec), president of Math Club, co-founder of Science Olympiad, head programmer of Robotics. </p>
<p>So even though I love math and science and do a lot outside of school with it, I'm worried all my B+'s and B's will keep me out. I really do understand all the material I've been taught from the classes, it's just I do worse on the tests before I understand it.</p>
<p>Is there any hope?</p>
<p>Well, B’s in science/math courses has got to hurt, but I’ve talked to people who have gotten with them. I imagine showing passion for math/science in other ways could help(leadership in science clubs, research, AMC, other tests). Just show that you really enjoy scientific pursuits, a kid last year in my school got into MIT and he was ranked #34 with many B’s but had research experience and really showed that his interest in science was beyond getting an A in the course. Just my $0.02.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t already be predicting that you’re not going to get an “A” first term of calc. It’s not over yet.</p>
<p>Seeing that you got a B+ in AP chem but also a 5 on the test, which is fairly difficult as AP tests go, it looks like you’re right that you understand things better after you take the test. I suggest from now on that you take some practice tests before you take the real one in school. That way you can do well on the real exam.</p>
<p>B’s in math/science are not going to help, but it’s not necessarily fatal to admissions. If you have some math/science awards, that’ll help. If you’re a senior, it’s hard to really change your application.</p>
<p>Apologies in advance to the OP for butting in, but I’m in a somewhat similar situation – I’ve earned all A’s in my math classes so far with the exception of a B for the second semester of Honors Pre-Calc sophomore year, and have only 3 years of science (biology, chemistry, physics – all designated ‘honors’) under my belt due to transferring schools twice through my high school career (will have attended 3 different schools as a result). Although I got A’s in biology, I had B’s in chemistry and physics, the latter of which I’m trying to compensate for by taking the Physics subject test in November and doing well on it. </p>
<p>Bottom line… my math/science grades aren’t the best either. However, I intend to study linguistics at MIT, which (to my knowledge) is a small department and rather rare major among prospective applicants. Does this change things in any way?</p>
<p>EDIT: Oh hey tmanneopen, it’s you! Didn’t notice your username at first :D</p>
<p>I am going to work my butt off this term to make sure I get the A in calc, and I agree, it isn’t over yet. I don’t want to turn this into a bragging thread or anything, but I do have a lot of science and math related EC’s/awards</p>
<p>Math Club/Team (10,11,12)
- President
- Best team in South Division of GBML
- AMC 10 School Winner</p>
<p>Science Olympiad (11,12)
- Co-founder
- 21st/40 in first year</p>
<p>Robotics (9-12)
- Head programmer
- Top seeded team in Boston Regional last year (out of 60 teams from around the NE region)
- Very competitive team</p>
<p>Self-performed research (not in lab) on various topics
- 9th grade (Glacial Melting and Massachusetts Science Fair Region V Qualifier)
- 10th grade (Efficiency of solar vs wind power with USB devices and Massachusetts Science Fair Region V Qualifier)
- 11th grade (Creating biofuels from various species of algae and Massachusetts Science Fair Region V Qualifier)</p>
<p>Do you think with these my grades would be seen as ok?</p>
<p>EDIT: Oh hey fledgling! I know you too, haha xD
P.S. Linguistics is very cool xD I love etymology myself, haha</p>
<p>Etymology is awesome. I personally love looking up words in the dictionary because some dictionaries show how each word was derived. 
</p>
<p>BTW… you might want to look for “Dord” on Wikipedia for a laugh. (notable error in lexicography that went unnoticed in Merriam-Webster’s for quite a few years lol)</p>
<p>It’ll help. I can’t say how they will react. </p>
<p>Apply and see what happens.</p>