<p>Hi, I recently applied to Stony Brook University. I am an out of state student. I really want to go to Stony Brook where I want to major in Biology for pre-medicine. My numeric average is a 90.4 and my SAT(I am retaking in January) is a 1950(1280 M+CR). I will have taken 6 APs and 6 honors. My first semester of senior year, I took AP Calculus AB. I really did put a lot of time and effort into this class. I truly can say I understood the material; however, my grade ended up being a 68. I have never received a grade this low in any math or science class. I am taking on-level calculus but still plan to take the AP Exam to show Stony Brook that I did understand the information. I am not blaming or knocking my teacher, but she failed 28 students out of her 3 classes. I was wondering how this would affect my chances at Stony Brook. Is there anyway I can write an explanation for this grade? Thanks in advance and best wishes to all.</p>
<p>You don’t need to explain the grade. Calculus is not considered a prerequisite for University admissions anyway (many students gain their first exposure to calculus in college).</p>
<p>Thank you for answering my question. Do you think this grade will greatly affect my chance of getting in? What do you think my chances are of getting in even with this grade? I am going to try to raise my SAT to a 2100 for the January test; in addition, my extracurriculars are 2 years wrestling, one year cross country, and former number 1 ranked high school chess player in the state. I am also the co-president of my school’s chess club which won the 2010 high school state championship where I played first board. I hope I have the opportunity to contribute to Stony Brook’s chess club possibly hosting a few tournaments on campus as I have been playing chess for a very long time. I was also elected parliamentarian of my school’s Future Business Leaders of America Club which happens to be the largest chapter in America. I really want to go to Stony Brook University for the pre-med track. Chance me if you have time! Thanks in advance and best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Actually, we’ve looked VERY closely at Calc the last couple of years, especially for students who are interested in programs that would require them to be on a Calc track (science/health/engineering). As I said in your message – and this is a general guideline for all applicants – if there’s something in your academic record that you feel needs to be explained, then feel free to explain it. (Just explain it in a way that makes logical sense and doesn’t come across like you’re just making excuses.)</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p>Thanks SBU Admissions and DJ Stony:</p>
<p>I am going to write an explanation for this grade, but as you said, I don’t want to come off as making excuses. If I were to say that the teacher was quite hard to work with and failed 28 students would this be out of place for me to say? There have been many complaints against her, but I don’t want to sound like I am trying to dodge the blame for the grade. Would it be better for me to point out that I haven’t had a math grade like this ever and that I am planning on taking the AP Exam to show Stony Brook my understanding of calculus. Should I email this letter to <a href=“mailto:enroll@stonybrook.edu”>enroll@stonybrook.edu</a>? If so, should I include anything so that they will be able to match it with my application such as the last four digits of my social security or my stony brook identification number?</p>
<p>You probably shouldn’t place blame on the teacher and state that 28 others failed.</p>
<p>Okay, I have drafted up the letter and I highlighted that I have never had a math grade lower than a B in any subject and that this grade is an anamoly. I mentioned some teacher concerns as well, but I explicitly mentioned that I take responsibility for the grade. I also mentioned that I am going to take the January SAT test again where I hope I can improve my 660 Math section to over 700 to show Stony Brook that the Calculus grade was misrepresentative of my math understanding. I am also going to take the AP Calculus AB exam anyways to show that I understand the curriculum. Do you think this will help to make up for the poor grade? Also, does Stony Brook take the January SAT or is it too late?</p>
<p>I think that should be fine.</p>
<p>Not sure about when the SAT deadline is. Generally, all materials have to be in by the deadline.</p>
<p>We’ll take exams up until we close applications. So if you have scores to add, send 'em! Probably doesn’t hurt to send us an e-mail and let us know that you’re taking the January exams, so if we need to wait, we’ll know.</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p>Accepted!!! Thanks for the help guys!</p>