<p>My son's advisor suggested he take 155B not 155A because of his 5 on AP Callculus. He is confused about this decision. Apparently he will forfeit his AP credit if he does not do that. Is it very difficult to start at B level? Anyone with experience with this? Thanks so much for your help. He is getting kind of stressed with all the bumping, time changes etc.</p>
<p>I would advise NOT to go into 155b, and rather start at the beginning of the sequence at 155a. A lot (most?) students enrolling in 150a/155a, have taken the AP course. These are not easy level calc courses…they are pretty difficult and demand a lot of time. Unless your son is extremely good at math, and is very confident in his calculus background I would take 155a. Also, I have heard from my friends (who are engineers) that 155b is very hard. </p>
<p>Honestly, I would do what your son thinks is best, but I would definitely get opinions from others. I remember my fresh advisor told me not to take Econ 100 my first semester, even though I was an econ major. This was probably good advice, however, it would have worked out either way. A lot of kids at vandy end up retaking classes they have AP scores for in order to solidify their background in the subject.</p>
<p>nicole, thanks for the advice, it helps alot. His gut was telling him to stay in 155A but it helps to confirm it with someone who has experience.</p>
<p>I’m glad I could help. I know it might be hard to forfeit the AP credit but I think it is definitely the right thing to do. I think in my 150A class, literally 3/30 kids had not taken AP Calc before. So the level of the class is definitely not that of a first time calc course that he probably had in high school. Having a strong background will definitely help in 155a, but it will still be challenging. Also, taking 155a instead of 155b will not put him behind whatsoever.</p>
<p>Another note… my roommate tested out of Calculus through AP tests and decided to go into 175(she was BME). She ended up getting a D in the class and had to retake her 2nd semester because of the low grade which affected her GPA…she was also worried she wouldnt be able to rush a sorority because of her low GPA. She was good at math, but not the best, and clearly she would have benefited by taking a step back and retaking some of the calc foundation classes.</p>
<p>Wow, I am warning him to be vigilant and keep up with the classes. It shall be challenging with so many great students all together. It can be kinda scary. Thanks again and hope you have a great year.</p>
<p>Though I support Nicole’s opinion, I thought I’d offer another viewpoint. I placed out of MATH 1555A with Calc AB. I took Math 155B and 175 (sequentially) and got A’s in both. If you are having any doubts, go for Math 155A. Just know that you aren’t doomed if you go the other direction.</p>
<p>155b is definitely harder than 155a, but if he did well in AP, I don’t think he should have any real problems with either…</p>
<p>That is true… I guess I am biased because a lot of people I knew struggled in some of the lower Calc classes. It really depends on the strength of his calc background. I know so many kids who ended up dropping the lower calc or had to retake because of bad grads. These classes might seem easy because its calc 1 or 2, but its at a college level and everyone in the class has already taken it. </p>
<p>150’s are especially hard because the tests are standarized…meaning your teacher does not know what will be on the test. they are also long, I think 2.5 hours… and you take them on a Thursday night. I am not lying whe the average is high D or low C’s…</p>
<p>OP- what is your son majoring in?</p>
<p>He is majoring in MCB and does want premed. He did well on AP (5) and had a great teacher last year and got a A- in course but who knows??? He is stronger in Science than Math. Does 155 have the same kind of testing as 150?</p>
<p>No 155 does not. The teachers make up the exams.</p>
<p>If he is pre-med take 155A. He will need two semesters of calculus, and he might was well take the easier of the two. Med schools will look upon 155A-B the same as 155b-170a.</p>
<p>Thanks GCN2 that helps to know that it will not make a big difference.</p>
<p>May I ask how you “retake” a semester or course at Vandy? What is involved…do you withdraw…and is that a one time only privilege? How do those who screw up with a course…or get over their heads, or want a “do-over” get approved second chance at the class?
My elder son at Duke dropped Calc freshman spring after he got mono (after freshman rush season)…this appeared as a W…he retook fall sophomore year with much better results in grades…but his best was a low B (despite high math testing scores) even with being a better adjusted, ready to work hard and healthy sophomore…who figured out that he had to sleep at night and get up daily for breakfast to perform in classes. Expectations in math at Duke are high and I am sure Vandy is just as rigorous.</p>
<p>Withdrawal for health reason was approved, but this was a one time only privilege at Duke, and required he meet with both his teacher and academic dean…not a way to handle poor grades routinely at all…obviously his grade if he had stayed in freshman Calc in run down condition…was going to be a D and that is a serious GPA killer.</p>
<p>would be interested in what protocol is there for such freshman follies/illness/…at Vandy when a student wants to reenroll in a class that is important…thanks!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I know the answer to the question about retaking courses - at least in the college of arts and science. If you fail a course, you can retake it at any time and your new grade and new credit hours will replace your old grade and previous 0 credit hours for the course. (I believe that the original F will show on your transcript though.) If you pass a course the first time, but wish to retake it in order to get a higher grade then you must do so within 1 year of when you first took the course. Your new grade replaces the old one (even if lower), but you don’t get any additional credit hours. (Again, I believe the original grade shows on the transcript.)</p>
<p>According to my daughter, who repeated math 150A, it is fairly common for students to retake courses at Vanderbilt - even courses in which they earned a passing grade.</p>
<p>lion…so good to know…will share with my Vandy son.</p>
<p>Very accurate post from lion. If a course is not offered within one year of when you originally took it, you must take whenever it is offered next. (Some classes are every two years, etc.)</p>