<p>I did AP Stats as a self study last year (sophomore year) and due to procrastination, only got a 4. I definitely want to apply to Caltech as a math major, but I fear that this will hurt me a lot.
I have a 2310 (800M) SAT and SAT II Math IIC and IC 800's. I also took Calculus as a freshman, receiving a score of 5 on the BC exam. Plus, I've got Physics C M, Physics C E&M, Chemistry AP this year and am easily expecting a 5 on all. I've also taken 5 college math classes (Calc III, DE, Linear Algebra, Number Theory, Applied Stats at a college) (three 4.0's, one 3.7, and a 3.3). Looking at a 120-130 AMC and 6-7 AIME based on prac. tests as well (started studying this November!) So my question is: how bad will the 4 on the AP Stats look? Should I waste $82 to retake for an easy 5?</p>
<p>Sorry if I'm being too pessimistic, but Caltech seems like it wants perfection......</p>
<p>If you want to learn for the sake of knowledge, then just go through the material again. If you want to throw $82 down the drain, send it to me in the mail.</p>
<p>Meanvaluetheorem1, applying to college, fortunately, isn't like falling down during olympic gymnastics or figure skating. Colleges generally look as a whole. They realize that a student may have just retched his/her guts out during an AP test and won't penalize you for it. On the other hand, if you are consistently getting 4s on math aps, maybe Caltech isn't the best place for you anyway. However, judging from your scores, your mathematical intensity is above par.</p>
<p>I don't know you at all, so don't take this as I'm judging you. I'm not. But don't put so much concern on a grade, whether it is an AP test, an AMC test, so forth. They certainly won't garner you admittance (aside from... usamo, I guess; 5s on successive AP tests certainly won't). Getting a four on an AP statistics test doens't mean Caltech will reject you outright. Getting a seventeen on an AP statistics test doesn't mean Caltech will accept you outright either.</p>
<p>let me reiterate the posts that have been along the lines of...chill out.</p>
<p>but also let me say that i understand the anxiety you're feeling, though i'm two years now removed from this college application process...</p>
<p>but, by no means will a 4 include you or exclude you from getting admitted to caltech. i got in, with 3 ap's (only 1 of which i had completed at the time of application) and it was a chem-4. i applied as a prospective chem major, too!</p>
<p>as other posters have mentioned, each institution will judge whether you're a good fit for them, academically, socially and otherwise as a whole, which is why, all your scores and education info is on 1 or 2 of [a whole lot more] pages of the app. best of luck...though it's likely out of your hands now...</p>