<p>Well first of all on the SAT (in one sitting) I got 770 CR, 750 M, and 800 W. Assuming I can pull an 800 on Math Level 2 (which seems more likely than not) would it be worth some time, effort, and risk to my other sections to retake the SAT to aim for an 800 math, or should I just leave it alone?</p>
<p>Is First Generation College Students worth stressing at all on my application at all or is it really pretty useless?</p>
<p>And is first place in a School Math Bowl worth even noting on my application or should I just leave that off entirely?</p>
<p>Also, do you think poor grades in AP History classes will harm my application very much? and if so, would good scores on the AP Exams lessen that at all?</p>
<p>Your math score is absolutely fine for MIT, with or without an 800 in math :D</p>
<p>With the first gen and math bowl stuff, it depends on the rest of your application. With the math bowl, if you haven’t filled up the space and still have something to add, sure, why not. With first gen, it depends on how big a role it’s played.</p>
<p>My poorest grades in HS are a 90 in sophmore year AP World History, a 93 in Spanish 2, and at the moment I have an 87 in AP US History. Besides that, all my grades are 95 or higher, particularly in Junior year I basically have a 98 or better in everything but AP US and 100s in my math and science. I’m more worried about the effect it has on my GPA than I am about the specific class.</p>
<p>And I come from a Catholic School that often has budget problems and where the general populace is fairly satisfied with an honors course or two and their 92 weighted averages. We get a handful of kids into top schools every year but most kids go to St. John’s, NYU, CUNYs and SUNYs. I’m really wondering whether it’s worth pointing out that I’m basically the best math student in my school when my school isn’t all that spectacular to begin with. (I’m also the only person with 100 in the Accelerated Math Class and proud to be in my school’s first ever BC calc class next year).</p>
<p>Mostly I’m just really intimidated by all the people with national awards in research and high scores in Math Olympiads.</p>
<p>Um yeah I got a C in US History my sophomore year. I explained it and everything was totally fine. Your B+ will not keep you out if the match is right.</p>
<p>You and, as far as I can tell, 90% of the other applicants who don’t have national awards/math olympiads. However, the bulk of matriculated students don’t have these things. Quite a lot of them come from situations like yours. MIT evaluates student accomplishments in the context of their environment.</p>
<p>Um, I got a D 10th grade in Multicultural Perspectives - you don’t want to know how that happened
A C- in 9th grade Physical Science - Also don’t want to know how that happened
An a C 11th grade in AP Physics B - yeah wicked hard final lowered my grade one whole letter.</p>
<p>Yet still recieved my admissions to MIT this March. </p>
<p>…I’m a special case in some ways so don’t bank on this.
Just saying a B won’t kill you. I have plenty. Also in regards to the SAT if that’s the first time you took it and think you can pull those scores off somewhat again I see little harm in taking it again.</p>
<p>DISCLAIMER: this post is not meant to be ironic or witty. It is serious advice from someone who went through college application hell.</p>
<p>The question you should ask yourself is, “do these things matter to ME”, not “Do these things matter to MIT”. THe application is about yourself, about how YOU are special, how YOU are passionate about what is important to YOU. The application is not about MIT. Thus, as narcissitic as it may sound, focus on what is important to you, what makes you yourself, and what makes you unique, what makes YOU cringe, what makes YOU excited, what makes YOU wake up at 6AM the morning looking forward to work.</p>