<p>D took a calculus class at a local 4 year college this summer. It's a required course for her major; she knew it would be a difficult one for her so decided to do it over the summer at a time when it could be her only focus. The syllabus was pre-approved by Tulane.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, she got a C-, which she was pleased about at the time believing that she only needed a pass to get the transfer credit.
It turns out she needed at least a C!</p>
<p>Is there any way/any grounds of appealing this?</p>
<p>If not, any advice on how to get through the class at Tulane? She's very discouraged, and concerned that if she can't manage a C when that's all she's doing, she'll never get through it with a regular semester workload. </p>
<p>Her academic advisor hasn't been able to come up with any encouraging advice.</p>
<p>Actually, I would say that having taken the class already, she has a great advantage now, even if she did get a C-. I took it in high school, didn’t do so great (what can I say, my g/f sat right in front of me) and really thought I had learned very little. So I just signed up for Calc I at Tulane and was shocked when I found I had absorbed far more than I realized. I didn’t even take notes in Calc I or Calc II, I just listened. It all made total sense to me for the first time, and I aced both easily.</p>
<p>I know that is just a personal anecdote, but I bet this will give her a similar opportunity to really learn the material and do very well. The second pass at a subject like this can be very different than the first. Does that make sense?</p>
<p>Well, I know this sounds rather idealistic and all, but college should be about both real learning and challenges, among other things. No sense shying away from it, and I still suspect she will end up being very pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>Another aspect of this, to some extent, is her probable major. Does she have one or is she leaning in a particular direction?</p>
<p>When my s took classes required for his major at another school (a tech school) , the arrangements for approval by the dept were made in advance after they reviewed the curriculum, etc., and IIRC they were pretty clear that his grade had to be a C or higher for it to be accepted. So while it doesn’t hurt to appeal, I think she is likely to have to retake at Tulane, and as FC said, she is better prepared now, and will hopefully get a good grade that will help her GPA.</p>
<p>I think Tulane’s rules are clear that a C or above is required; somehow D thought that that meant “not a D”, so C- would work! Lesson learned, I guess.</p>
<p>In any event, I’m passing on the sound advice from both of you, and keeping fingers crossed that when she does take the class, she goes in with a positive attitude. -A good and forgiving professor wouldn’t hurt either!.</p>
<p>Just a thought, if she has space in her schedule, Tulane offers what they call Long Calculus, which is actually Cal 1 split into 2 semesters so it moves at a slower pace. It might work for her.</p>
<p>Tell your daughter to utilize the tutoring center. My daughter tutors calc at the center and privately and, from what she’s expressed to me, it has improved some of the students grades a great deal.</p>
<p>So here is the story: Tulane is D’s first choice but doesn’t feel her chances are very good. Here are her stats: gpa uw3.26 / 3.56 weighted; SAT 1970 super scored; 3 APs, very good ECs. recs and essays. She is afraid to apply SCEA because choices 2, 3, & 4 need to be EA to have a good shot. She has visited, gone to a Tulane talk and emailed to show interest. What to do?</p>
<p>I would have her apply to Tulane EA instead of SCEA. In the grand scheme of things, it makes more sense to maximize her chances at 4 schools rather than just 1. She has done everything she can so far, now she needs a nice “Why Tulane” statement to let them know the reasons she is putting Tulane at the top.</p>
<p>Her stats are on the edge, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say her chances are not good. They are maybe a bit less than 50-50 just based on stats and taking your judgement about her other factors, but certainly she has a shot.</p>