<p>So it's time to send in the February Updates form. I did very well in all my courses, except AP Physics, which I earned a solid B in. I'm happy with the grade, seeing that it was my first physics course and I worked hard. I know that many applicants to MIT do get As though, so it will affect my decision at least somewhat.</p>
<p>I was wondering if I should use some of the text box space to explain my situation. My better instincts say no, since I'll sound like I'm whining and I can't take a B, but could it possibly offset the grade a bit if I did it correctly?</p>
<p>Another question, what exactly should I put in the February update textbox? I already talked about why my first choice is MIT, and wrote a ton of personal stuff in my essays.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mention the B. You’ll probably be getting a few B’s (and A’s and/or C’s) here at MIT, as a lot of classes are B-averaged. Unless it was a personal reason (as in, you were sick for two weeks), I wouldn’t put that there.</p>
<p>February update is usually for recent awards, publications (if any), updates to anything you previously mentioned in your app, etc.</p>
<p>If there were extenuating circumstances and you really feel like explaining it, mention that you are proud of the B. But really, I’d just leave it alone. I had a few B’s on my transcript when I applied to MIT. It was fine :)</p>
<p>If you don’t think you have any new awards, etc to update with, you could mention that you won (I guess that would be an award :-)), the neighborhood snowman contest, or how you spent Christmas at the shelter and how you found that a life changing experience, maybe that you earned enough money to buy your first car (in the time since you applied), etc. Anything significant/important to you, although ideally, the update would be something academic.</p>
<p>However, it could be non-academic too. I know a kid that got accepted into a serious music production course his second semester of senior year. That is non-academic, but shortly after that he was contacted by a music department from a college offering a music scholarship. That was not on the table before.</p>
<p>By the way - I would keep my mouth shut about the B. Everyone gets a B sometime, somewhere - even at top schools. Some top schools average classes to a B; grade deflation. Explaining that may make them think you cannot handle pressure of getting a B. </p>