Anonymous
12/18/2023 15:43
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard from multiple college coaches who are former admissions counselors on this. A “B” in AP is better than an “A” in gen Ed. Schools want to see rigor as well as grades. Straight A’s all through H.S. resulting from easy gen ed classes are not as compelling as a student who challenges themselves.
True, but at UVA and other highly competitive colleges, they already have way way too many applications with straight As in rigorous classes. Plenty of them will get rejected as well. So if your student has a few Bs, and nothing that makes them significantly stand out apart from other high and very high achievers, they have pretty much no chance
But, I really want her to have a chance! Which is why it’s important to get an A instead of a B.
She does not have another hook, like the hooks of legacy, or the right minority status, or big-donor parents; she is not even disabled in any way.
Anonymous
12/18/2023 11:44
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard from multiple college coaches who are former admissions counselors on this. A “B” in AP is better than an “A” in gen Ed. Schools want to see rigor as well as grades. Straight A’s all through H.S. resulting from easy gen ed classes are not as compelling as a student who challenges themselves.
True, but at UVA and other highly competitive colleges, they already have way way too many applications with straight As in rigorous classes. Plenty of them will get rejected as well. So if your student has a few Bs, and nothing that makes them significantly stand out apart from other high and very high achievers, they have pretty much no chance
Anonymous
12/18/2023 10:27
Subject: B grade in AP classes
Anyone with a B in an AP class accepted to UVA ED last week?
Anonymous
12/15/2023 15:47
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:I was in the AVID program, we were required to take 1 AP class. We were always told that a C is an AP class is good. B is great. A means you're a genius.
(1 AP class per year)
Anonymous
12/15/2023 15:47
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
I was in the AVID program, we were required to take 1 AP class. We were always told that a C is an AP class is good. B is great. A means you're a genius.
Anonymous
12/15/2023 13:56
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
I think your child is fine, and on the right track. I think if he is learning study skills and keep with it, earning a B+ or an A- or an A in future semesters /years in AP classes, I think this could also be a pretty compelling story of a student who is motivated to learn more, study hard, challenge himself. Going from all As in regular to Bs in APs is a great first step, and if he continues to take rigorous classes and his newfound study skills serve him well, so that he can perhaps get slightly higher grades in AP jr and sr years, that's exactly what colleges (or at least college counsellors) say they want to see! It's frustrating but just take it as a learning process and keep up the work!
Anonymous
12/14/2023 22:12
Subject: B grade in AP classes
My DD is definitely getting a few B’s in AP classes. She’ll take about 9-10 APs total (including Calc Bc) and will have 3-4 Bs. She’ll end up at a school she loves. Apply widely, be flexible, cross fingers, all will be good!
Anonymous
12/14/2023 22:02
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
I’ve heard from multiple college coaches who are former admissions counselors on this. A “B” in AP is better than an “A” in gen Ed. Schools want to see rigor as well as grades. Straight A’s all through H.S. resulting from easy gen ed classes are not as compelling as a student who challenges themselves.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 13:19
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.
Students who are accepted to those schools truly never get a B in an AP class?
There are many other schools besides those three, I'd hate for my kid to be under that much pressure to be absolutely perfect.
This is what our school counselor told us and we basically took UVA off the list for that reason. I'm not interested in that nonsense and neither is my kid.
My child is smart, in all college level classes, and high performing at everything. UVA would be lucky to have her. She's an extremely hard worker and teachers love her. I do not want that kind of BS pressure on her and it's absurd for any school to think because she may get a B, or even 2 or 3 B's, that she couldn't do the work of their school or are less worthy to get in.
And LBH, I know at least a handful of "B" students who ended up transferring from other schools (NOVA, thought that program or other VA 4 year schools). So, this is all about their stats and what they're accepting. NOt whether a HS kid got a few B. So they can suck it.
To clarify - these kids did not get in to UVA as Freshman (see, B students) and all transferred into the school later, either via NOVA or straight up transfer application. So, "B students" arent the concern, their admissions stats are.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 10:01
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.
I certainly hope you’re bringing her back to reality and explaining there are many many other great schools besides these three. If she has decided these are the only 3 schools good enough for her then you really need to step in and disabuse her of that notion.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 09:19
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.
Students who are accepted to those schools truly never get a B in an AP class?
There are many other schools besides those three, I'd hate for my kid to be under that much pressure to be absolutely perfect.
It is so absurd, especially when you add in the expectation of extracurriculars or a job and volunteer hours.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 09:16
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.
Students who are accepted to those schools truly never get a B in an AP class?
There are many other schools besides those three, I'd hate for my kid to be under that much pressure to be absolutely perfect.
This is what our school counselor told us and we basically took UVA off the list for that reason. I'm not interested in that nonsense and neither is my kid.
My child is smart, in all college level classes, and high performing at everything. UVA would be lucky to have her. She's an extremely hard worker and teachers love her. I do not want that kind of BS pressure on her and it's absurd for any school to think because she may get a B, or even 2 or 3 B's, that she couldn't do the work of their school or are less worthy to get in.
And LBH, I know at least a handful of "B" students who ended up transferring from other schools (NOVA, thought that program or other VA 4 year schools). So, this is all about their stats and what they're accepting. NOt whether a HS kid got a few B. So they can suck it.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 08:33
Subject: B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. For those asking why my child can’t just work harder and get an A. At his school the grade in an AP class is 60% based on 3 tests given throughout the semester (each test worth 20% of the final grade). He’s not a great test taker. Also, he’s never actually had to study before and he’s struggling to learn how to study, how much to study, etc.
His first test of the semester he got a 50% on. That was shocking and eye opening to him. This is AP chemistry and he tends to make a lot of simple math errors which doesn’t help.
He is taking AP Chemistry as a sophomore? That is usually a junior or senior level class
And not only is it a junior or senior level class, many kids (at least at MCPS) take Honors Chemistry before taking AP Chem. Same for bio; Honors Biology before AP Biology. The Honors level classes aren't prerequisites, but this is the path many students take. OP, make sure your child is getting proper guidance in selecting classes.
At our VA school, no one is taking AP Bio or AP Chem until Junior year. You have to have taken HS levels of those classes before, but the intensified class is not necessary. AP Physics is the first AP science class that has a HS level option that doesn't require you take the regular one first. I wish more schools would make HS level mandatory.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 06:10
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.
Students who are accepted to those schools truly never get a B in an AP class?
There are many other schools besides those three, I'd hate for my kid to be under that much pressure to be absolutely perfect.
Anonymous
12/14/2023 04:45
Subject: Re:B grade in AP classes
Anonymous wrote:There’s nothing wrong with getting B’s in AP classes. You’re overreacting.
NP.
My DD would be very upset about the prospect of a B in an AP class.
This could ruin her chances for a shot at UMD, W&M, or UVA.
It is a very big deal.