Is it true that a lower grade in a harder class is better than a high grade in an easier class?

Question

I got a B+ in AP Literature and Composition (English) and a B+ in Physics. I'm a Junior, and these are my other first semester grades,
Grad. Ex*: A
Native Spanish 3: A
Leadership: Pass
Chemistry: A
Pre-Calculus: A-
Will the B's have a bad effect on an application? Keep in mind that I want to get into either a UC (like Berkley) or a private college (like Stanford or Santa Clara). I always aimed for Stanford, but I'm starting to feel like it's getting out of my reach. Would it just be better to drop Physics and take a regular English 11 class and get a 4.0 (highest grade point average you can get at my school, A- is a 4.0, A+ is also a 4.0). I really don't want to but I need someone else's opinion. I mean, will colleges really take into consideration that I'm taking harder courses? I'm a nervous wreck right now, can someone please give me an honest answer?

*Grad. Ex is a class that Juniors or Seniors take at my school to work on semester long projects, that you must finish to graduate.

Answer 1

Anamarie is wrong, a victim of hype. Stanford and Berkeley (note spelling) are almost exactly the same regarding their selection criteria. You have an excellent chance for either one.

However, it is true, the best you can do for yourself is to take the hardest classes you can. Most of the other undergrad applicants will take the hardest classes, so you will be competing against them. It is far better to take the hardest classes and be on the same playing field - if you got a 4.0 in easy classes (and your classes are far from easy), there would be no way to judge you against them.

Answer 2

I think just taking a harder class shows that you're an excellent student. Anyone can take an easy class and get a good grade. Not everyone can take a hard class and still get a decent grade.

Also, physics is sooooo interesting, especially with all the new developments made in the last couple of decades. If I would have known how fascinating and important psysics are, I would have taken a class or two in high school. Instead I have only gotten into the subject, and I'm 28. Look into quantum psysics, especially if you have any interest in the Universe and how it works. FASCINATING!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, harder courses do make a difference on your application, so if you can finish with a B or better, do finish. Do as well as you can next semester to bring up the GPA again. Santa Clara should be no problem--if you are Hispanic, use that to your advantage at Stanford! Showing a broad range of academics means a lot for these colleges.

Answer 4

There are different takes on this and a variety of opinions.

Being a coach type person, I look at it like this:

My athletes will perform better if they compete with more difficult competition. Even so, we tend to count "win:loss" without a lot of regard for who was playing. Your team either won or they didn't; likewise, you either got an A or you didn't.

Colleges do add weight to AP classes and the admissions people know which high schools are "hard" and which are "easy". A 3.9 at an easy school might not beat out a 3.5 at a hard school. That said, the 4.0 at the hard school always wins.

Answer 5

His my take on this. You skated through high school, and are now at university(or an equivalent). Work harder, concentrate on your studies. You are possibly studying a subject that you have no interest in. Take an aptitude test to see where your interests lie, studying something you have an interest in and want to makes all the difference. Grades are not based on intelligence, but on your comprehension of the subject matter. I don't think the family convinced you so much as brow beat you into submission on your studies. Carriers are for life and should be what you want not Mom and Dad wants.

Answer 6

No, it is NOT better to get a 4.0. A B in AP Lit is very good. It's better to take the more difficult classes.

I think Stanford is probably out of your reach without a really, really strong essay and a LOT of extracurriculars, but Berkeley is DEFINITELY still within your reach -- as are the rest of the UCs. Keep pushing yourself, keep trying to challenge yourself with difficult classes, and know that no matter where you go to college, it will be the right place for you.

Answer 7

Yes colleges want to see someone who challenges them selves.

Why do you think many people with a 4.0 get rejected because they took easy classes all high school. DONT dop out of any hard class expecialy AP cause colleges then acctualy see that you dropped out. Just stick with it, a B in AP classes for my school is a 4.5 =)

But its not AP Physics so that might be bad =/

Answer 8

Yea, this always bothered me too.

I don't have enough faith in the educational system to trust the evaluator to 1.) know the difference or 2.) to make the effort to weigh the more difficult course heavier.

IMHO, I think that it really only matters in college when applying for med school.

Answer 9

I think that's true, you should be proud of yourself for being in a harder class, just think
would you rather have a c in a hard class or a c in an easy class? There is a difference

Answer 10

You have awesome grades you should be so proud!Stick to it and see what happens when you apply there.I think they should take the fact that you are taking such a hard course.You also said that you really didn't want to drop it and I think you should stick with your gut too!Good luck:)
Merry Christmas!