<p>Hello.</p>
<p>My only B’s over sophomore and junior year were B+'s in Japanese 1 and 2 (also a B- in health and a B in Algebra II). I got an A- in Japanese 3. Basically I didn’t try in school (hence the B in math, which is my best subject) until the middle of 10th. Although I enjoyed studying for history, math, physics, etc., I never wanted to study for Japanese because I hate memorization and, in effect, dislike learning languages. So, the B+'s follow.</p>
<p>Long story short, I have the opportunity this fall to retake a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) in Japanese I, and get the grade replaced with what would ostensibly be a 4.0 (since I have already gone up to Japanese 3). This would raise my GPA at the mid-term report to a 3.77, as opposed to a 3.74. Obviously this would raise my class rank; how much, I don’t know. Note that on my transcript there would be two Japanese 1’s, one with a 4.0 and one with a blank where the grade was.</p>
<p>-OR- I can do what I really love: math, and take an online group theory course through AoPS, that probably won’t count for a grade. For context, group theory is a topic usually taught in 400-level Abstract Algebra courses. The class is rigorous and proof based.</p>
<p>So, does the difference between a 3.74, and 3.77 (along with the class rank associated with it) amount to much? Or should I just stick with my passion and let colleges think what they will?</p>