<p>How bad can a D in AP Calc hurt me?
This class is so hard, I don't want it to kill a lot of my chances for colleges this senior year 1st semester though...
Will a good Math II grade maybe make up for a little bit??</p>
<p>If you’re getting a D (and trying your hardest) you might want to consider dropping down to Honors. A D is a huge blow to GPA and it’s not worth it to keep the AP class at that point.</p>
<p>Getting a good score on Math II may say you’re not trying your hardest in class. I actually have the opposite occuring. I had an embarrassing Math II score, but now I have a 4.0 in AP Calc.
If anything, try to get placed out of it into an honors class like the poster above me said.</p>
<p>We do not offer Honors OR regular calc.
We only offer AP calc…don’t like our system, but whatever.</p>
<p>I’m trying hard, but calc is killing my grades so far, and I’m not liking it too much. My goal is to get at least a C… thanks though</p>
<p>anyone has been in a similar circumstance?</p>
<p>I started AP Calc BC last year with a D+ first quarter. Final grade was a b+. It’s definately possible as long as you don’t give up. If you’re having trouble learning the material I’d definitely recommend that you google Paul’s Notes Calc and go to the first link. It’s helped me ensure I have a complete understanding of the concepts before tests numerous times</p>
<p>hmm. My problem is that the book is too easy, or gives examples in each lesson that are way too easy. Our tests then, are way harder, and our teacher uses actual AP EXAMS on the tests…*facepalm. </p>
<p>The only thing that factors into grade is: tests/quizzes. which is why im dying…
:/</p>
<p>any other opinions on my current situation?
perhaps in college apps write a “special information to explain”?</p>
<p>Well the thing is - AP classes are designed to be college classes and in college typically only tests count toward your grade - so your teacher is doing the right thing.</p>
<p>I think you probably need to get a tutor that has access to harder questions than what are in your book. My ds had the same situation in one of his math classes - no problem with the homework but the tests were much harder. He got a tutor who was able to get him more difficult problems. If that is not possible - ask your teacher for harder problems to work on before a test.</p>
<p>Good point. However, this is no excuse for him not lecturing or teaching. I’m sure college professors at least make an attempt to lecture on the subject, regardless of what the content is. (Our teacher simply does not teach)</p>
<p>I have a tutor, but it’s not helping much. I will consider asking my teacher for harder problems to work on. Thanks… sighs…Not liking senior year so far. :/</p>
<p>Here is my current situation. (From other thread that I deleted cause I had 2 threads)
My calc grade sucks (AP) mostly due to the fact that only quizzes/tests determine your grade and a weird “teacher” who doesn’t teach. I am seriously considering dropping this course - what is the point of taking an AP Course to get a “D”? </p>
<p>As a result, I will have NO MATH OR SCIENCE this year. (Just an AP Eng – 2 ap max limitation for my school). </p>
<p>How would colleges react to this? I am considering, and most likely will, self-study Calculus if this happens…</p>
<p>help! or advice
i have an option to take it but with no letter grade: just “pass” or “fail”
but im wondering how this looks to adcoms</p>
<p>updfdfdf! bump!</p>
<p>i think it would look better to have a pass instead of an actually “D” as i think the pass on the transcript will not be as harmful for colleges</p>
<p>No Honors or Regular Calculus? That’s unbelievable…Anyhow, I think you should seriously consider converting the course to pass/fail. At this point, you really don’t want any risky business with colleges. </p>
<p>However, If you have enough time in the semester and your D is high enough, you could hire a tutor. </p>
<p>Here’s what you should do. Email the universities you are applying to and tell them of your situation (Don’t tell them the specific grade, though). Inquire if switching to a pass/fail evaluation will impact the admissions decision in any way. Also, really talk to your guidance counselor and parents. If this grade is really bothering you and making you lose sleep at night, I would advise just switching.</p>
<p>I speak from experience. I had a pretty low grade at the beginning, but I have an A now. Everyone is different. Depending on if you think you can power through it, stay in. If you have a ridiculous course load and can’t devote too much time to the class anyway, it may be time for evasive action.</p>
<p>thanks. I’m doing PASS/Fail now.
Since my counselors at school do not know much, I may consider just emailing the universities that I am applying to…</p>
<p>I’m just hoping that colleges don’t really start asking like “hmm…why passs/fail” etc etc when they read my app ya know? But i figured that taking the class p/f would be better than a) dropping the course (and no science/math senior year) or b) getting a D for at least 1st semester</p>
<p>-perhaps if I do bring my grade up ill write in additional information. I have an AP English to worry about already now. (2 ap max too )</p>
<p>thanks for the great response. greatly appreciated</p>
<p>My daughter had a class like that soph yr, Honors Algebra II. It was known as the hardest math class in the school (yes, it was considered harder than AP Calc BC). Why? Because the teacher did the exact thing yours is doing. Easy problems on homework and tests, lousy teaching in class, surprise killer problems on all tests and quizzes. Plus, this woman was paranoid about cheaters, and would randomly accuse students of cheating just to scare them into keeping clean. Nobody felt safe in that class. It was the year from hell.</p>
<p>So what’s my point? The material is learnable. It’s not the subject that’s hard for you, it’s the way it’s being taught. The following year, my D had a precalc teacher who was excellent, and she suddenly realized just how much Alg II she actually knew because this guy made it so clear during the beginning of school year review.</p>
<p>You need to find someone, not a tutor, but another student who gets it, to help you out. Ask around for someone who aced the class last year. What you want is someone who “speaks” your math language and can explain it in a way you will understand. Don’t just slog along suffering thru this. If you find the right help, you will get it.</p>
<p>“Well the thing is - AP classes are designed to be college classes and in college typically only tests count toward your grade - so your teacher is doing the right thing.”</p>
<p>None of my AP teachers have done that in my 6 AP classes that I’ve had. I understand that that’s the college way (for some professors, a lot of my brother’s professors had other assignments/homework too).</p>
<p>Look up AP practice problems with the title i.e. If you’re doing volumes of solids of revolution (that’s later, but the first thing I thought of), look up AP Volumes of Solids of Revolution problem.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to say I don’t know what else to say to help you, because honestly, I love math, and AP Calc comes really easily for me. Just look up AP problems to practice, and that should help.</p>
<p>Oh, and my school only has AP Calc and CP Calc (which is, frankly, what the kids who probably won’t even go to college take) so the only option for people looking at going to good schools if they want Calculus.</p>
<p>Yea. I am fine with that @crimson with only tests/quizzes…
but the fact that I have a teacher, but still have to pretty much learn everything by myself makes it…let’s say, frustrating…</p>
<p>My past few years (3) with math hasn’t been difficult. Math isn’t my forte, but i’ve always managed A- to A’s in Alg-Precalc.</p>
<p>I’m just trying to pass this class now since im doing P/F.
I’ll look for some AP tests online. thanks</p>
<p>@massmom, thanks for the help. Glad to see that other people know what i’m feeling. I’ll try to look for some math buddies!</p>