B+ in AP Calc AB--UPenn still an option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One B+ in a difficult math class, particularly when she's signaling a humanities major, is not going to make a difference. For engineering or Wharton it definately would. She would need an A in BC. But sounds like that's not her thing. She hit the Calculus AB threshold for selective schools and did reasonably well. She's not going to be rejected because of that.

There will be other reasons.

Check out the DMV area admits for Penn. It's almost impossible for unhooked kids. The mid-Atlantic is not a desirable geography for Penn. There are so many smart, accomplished kids that want to go up the road to Penn. There is so much legacy. And there are so many wealthy contributors.

And absolutely none of it compares to what's coming from the NY privates. More accomplished. Richer. More connected. Same general region. Plus New Jersey. Plus Pennsylvania.

Take a look at your high school Penn admits in recent years. How many? Undoubtedly there was a hook of some sort.

Both of my kids are at top 20 colleges presently. We visited Penn. And then we studied the situation for unhooked kids from the burbs in DC.

And determined that it's not worth any attention at all.

Better to lay the facts to her early. And definitely do not throw an ED card towards Penn unless you're besties with the Chancellor. The mid-Atlantic is not good for Penn. It is an incredibly difficult admit from the suburbs in Maryland or Virginia. If you want to spend $75 on a lottery ticket in regular, go for it. But would suggest being more strategic about where you want to direct the passion.

Snap. Agree with all of this.

[Anonymous]

The only number that would definitely get you into Penn is an erg score.

[Anonymous]

My niece is at Penn with 2 Bs (physics and Calc). No hooks. Middle of the road public. Stron everything else. She is a history major.

[Anonymous]

This will be a big reach. I am just trying to be honest with you. You need to lower her expectations NOW. DS got into Penn and had a 3.97 from a DC private with near perfect scores and high rigor. He went to different Ivy. Graduate school legacy matters very little at Penn. It is a harder admit for non STEM girls, too. To increase her chances, I would zero in on a very arcane major (one that they have trouble filling classes for) and write a lot about it in the essays (authentically). Consider having her apply ROTC, a big booster as a female applicant. Be very specific about what she brings to the Penn community in the essays. Have her fight to raise that B+ to at least a A-. AB Calculus just isn’t deemed very hard from a school like Penn’s perspective. Your daughter is being compared to her classmates (especially other girls) so if there is a hooked classmate or one with a better total package, it will be hard for her to stand out. Find matches and likelies. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:how about penn state? it's close in the name and may confuse people.

Genius.

My daughter, who will likely go to Michigan State, will be instructed to tell people that she goes to “Michigan” when asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This will be a big reach. I am just trying to be honest with you. You need to lower her expectations NOW. DS got into Penn and had a 3.97 from a DC private with near perfect scores and high rigor. He went to different Ivy. Graduate school legacy matters very little at Penn. It is a harder admit for non STEM girls, too. To increase her chances, I would zero in on a very arcane major (one that they have trouble filling classes for) and write a lot about it in the essays (authentically). Consider having her apply ROTC, a big booster as a female applicant. Be very specific about what she brings to the Penn community in the essays. Have her fight to raise that B+ to at least a A-. AB Calculus just isn’t deemed very hard from a school like Penn’s perspective. Your daughter is being compared to her classmates (especially other girls) so if there is a hooked classmate or one with a better total package, it will be hard for her to stand out. Find matches and likelies. Good luck!

And, what math track did your child take and was offered. Our public only goes to cal bc so they recommend ab and bc or you have to go elsewhere. Going to ab junior year is rigorous. Many privates don’t start algebra til 8th so not rigorous.

[Anonymous]

OP, understand, as others have noted, a school like Penn is a low single digit admit rate. Whether she gets in or not will not hinge on a single grade.

But you need to dispel the whole "dream school" thing asap.

Fund out what attributes she likes about Penn and then find 10 other schools that share those attributes.

if it is Phaldelphia, then Temple, Drexel etc. If it is Quaker, then Swat/Haverford/Earlham etc (and those are hard too of course)

If it is urban, then there are a ton of city schools she can look into.

You get the idea. But don't let her go into this with a single focus on a school that has a 3% admit rate. Her hard work and grades are only part of the equation and even with that, it is a total lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, understand, as others have noted, a school like Penn is a low single digit admit rate. Whether she gets in or not will not hinge on a single grade.

But you need to dispel the whole "dream school" thing asap.

Fund out what attributes she likes about Penn and then find 10 other schools that share those attributes.

if it is Phaldelphia, then Temple, Drexel etc. If it is Quaker, then Swat/Haverford/Earlham etc (and those are hard too of course)

If it is urban, then there are a ton of city schools she can look into.

You get the idea. But don't let her go into this with a single focus on a school that has a 3% admit rate. Her hard work and grades are only part of the equation and even with that, it is a total lottery.

The only thing Quaker about Penn is the mascot.

—alum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine had all As in Calc AB, BC, and Multivar….rejection. Outstanding package …. Whatever they want, I hope your child has better luck!

It is a lottery and a mystery 🤣

This +100. Mine had As and 5s in 11 APs and As in 2 college math classes and still didn’t get into any Ivys. It is a Lottery all the way. They are however very happy anyway, so don’t sweat it. One B won’t make it break anything.

No one wants to tell you that it’s because of your school. Maybe there’s someone else they wanted more from your high school and they had an unofficial quota.

Certain private schools get an (disproportionate) allotment that is higher than those given to big suburban high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My niece is at Penn with 2 Bs (physics and Calc). No hooks. Middle of the road public. Stron everything else. She is a history major.

What HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pitt is a much better school anyway.

Really? I've never heard that. Thanks for a first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This will be a big reach. I am just trying to be honest with you. You need to lower her expectations NOW. DS got into Penn and had a 3.97 from a DC private with near perfect scores and high rigor. He went to different Ivy. Graduate school legacy matters very little at Penn. It is a harder admit for non STEM girls, too. To increase her chances, I would zero in on a very arcane major (one that they have trouble filling classes for) and write a lot about it in the essays (authentically). Consider having her apply ROTC, a big booster as a female applicant. Be very specific about what she brings to the Penn community in the essays. Have her fight to raise that B+ to at least a A-. AB Calculus just isn’t deemed very hard from a school like Penn’s perspective. Your daughter is being compared to her classmates (especially other girls) so if there is a hooked classmate or one with a better total package, it will be hard for her to stand out. Find matches and likelies. Good luck!

Best best advice for girls I’ve seen here in a while.

And it’s what all of the very very expensive college counselors, help, private school kids do starting in ninth grade. They hone in on the most bizarre esoteric niche uncommon majors and create a portfolio or résumé around it. And these kids get in. Works at most ivies (hardest at Cornell I think).

And then once they’re there, they switch her majors. Happens every single day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This will be a big reach. I am just trying to be honest with you. You need to lower her expectations NOW. DS got into Penn and had a 3.97 from a DC private with near perfect scores and high rigor. He went to different Ivy. Graduate school legacy matters very little at Penn. It is a harder admit for non STEM girls, too. To increase her chances, I would zero in on a very arcane major (one that they have trouble filling classes for) and write a lot about it in the essays (authentically). Consider having her apply ROTC, a big booster as a female applicant. Be very specific about what she brings to the Penn community in the essays. Have her fight to raise that B+ to at least a A-. AB Calculus just isn’t deemed very hard from a school like Penn’s perspective. Your daughter is being compared to her classmates (especially other girls) so if there is a hooked classmate or one with a better total package, it will be hard for her to stand out. Find matches and likelies. Good luck!

Best best advice for girls I’ve seen here in a while.

And it’s what all of the very very expensive college counselors, help, private school kids do starting in ninth grade. They hone in on the most bizarre esoteric niche uncommon majors and create a portfolio or résumé around it. And these kids get in. Works at most ivies (hardest at Cornell I think).

And then once they’re there, they switch her majors. Happens every single day.

So how can you tell who is having trouble filling classes? Where can you find enrollment information by MAJOR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a junior who has taken a rigorous courseload over the last 3 years. All As thus far, but she is most likely going to end up with a B+ in AP Calc AB.

Her dream school is UPenn. She always knew this was a reach school (the only IVY on her list), but now feels that she has no chance with a B in AP Calc AB. Is it accurate that this probably takes her out of the running? She is really upset and I want to console her, but want to also be realistic. She is well aware that Penn admissions is a lottery even amongst the most competitive candidates, and there is no pressure from me/husband about going to a T20 school. Still, it's where she truly, deeply believes she will be happiest....

She is well-rounded and has strong ECs (all local though, no state/national awards). Her LORs and essays will be excellent, as she is well-liked by her teachers and a wonderful writer. SAT 1550. FWIW, she will be a humanities major and never wants to take another math class after HS. Her father and I are both legacy at Penn grad schools.

There shouldn't be one dream school. Dream should be to go to one of the best schools and do your best there to find what you are best at.

As far as a B grade or a not so great SAT, these don't matter unless you are middle class Asian from competitive public schools.

[Anonymous]

Calc AB is a rough class for a B because it's a pretty straight forward math class and the colleges know it. Pretty much all Ivy level aspirants (regardless of major) should be able to get an A in it. BC is another story--it can get pretty complex and abstract with certain teachers. I'm not a math snob or crazy math accelerator parent but just sharing my experience of watching this play out with 3 kids who each attend (or attended) a different high school.

I'm sorry OP. My kids have (or had) imperfect transcripts as well. I would be honest with her. I don't know the transfer rates to Penn but maybe that is an option? I have known many kids who have transferred to their dream schools for sophomore year (and even more who fell in love with their non-dream schools after actually attending!)