<p>So last year (sophomore) I made the worst mistake of not studying for my driver's education class and not paying attention in my Who Shot JFK? class. So I ended up with a B- in Driver's ed and a B+ in Who shot JFK? The thing is, neither of these classes count for GPA at my school. I still have a 3.97 unweighted though. </p>
<p>For some background I got only one A- freshman year, in Chemistry.</p>
<p>In sophomore year, I got an A- in American Lit, an A- in Spanish III, and a B- in Driver's ed and a B+ in Who shot JFK?</p>
<p>This year is junior year and I will be working very very very very very very very very very hard to get all A's, because colleges like to see upward trends :)</p>
<p>Ok so the main question is, once again, will these two B's I got kill my chances for princeton?</p>
<p>Well, since colleges like the upward trends, the 123 you got on your math section of the SAT will get you in! Oh, wait, you got a 321? You’re screwed.</p>
<p>um… all A’s grades are not good enough for Princeton. Probably about 75% for all applicants will have a 4.0 GPA anyways. I would stress doing well on EC’s, Awards, sports, SAT, and SAT II’s and getting good rec letters.</p>
<p>Here’s the bottom line–most people with perfect grades and perfect scores will not get into Princeton. If you have the truly outstanding elements it takes for an unhooked candidate to get in there, they will not let those Bs stand in your way.</p>
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<p>Princeton is not among the schools looking for trends. The average admit there is so outstanding in every respect including grades, the only discernible trend is pure excellence into the stratosphere of national and international honors and awards.</p>
<p>Hmom is serious and correct. Princeton isn’t forgiving with 9/10 grades because it doesn’t have to be. Why would they take somebody who took two years to figure it out when they have plenty of candidates to choose from who have had their stuff together all four years? Your upward trend means nothing compared to always winning.</p>
<p>But I don’t think hmom means “perfect scores” to mean a perfect score. After all, only 230 or so kids get a 2400 on any given year, and there are thousands of spots in HYPS-MC, as well as other colleges the 2400’s might want to go. Just keep realistic, remember that for Princeton you’re competing against the top kids from EVERY school. There are thousands of high schools, so tens of thousands of excellent candidates. Like hmom says, if you had any chance at getting into Princeton anyway (excellent ECs, amazing scores, or an otherwise incredible application) , the B’s won’t hold you back.</p>
<p>Hahah, I didn’t even think of that. I mean, it’s pretty difficult to get a B in Drivers Ed (and the fact that he would even take such a class and think he’s going to Princeton)… And then that whole “Who Shot JFK” class…</p>
<p>sorry, but…just applying to Princeton is already a hurt chance =
Straight A’s isn’t that big of a deal at such a school, you really need to work on your EC’s rather than aim for 4.0</p>