Hi,
So I’m really struggling with AP Calculus AB due to me never taking pre-calc (I took math SL IB which was supposed to be similar…but my teacher last year sucked and my calc teacher this year prepared his precalc students way better). Basically, I have a C, but I have gotten F’s on my last 3 chapter tests (in the low 30% for each one). I’m scared for second semester.
The problem is, I do all of my homework, go to a tutor, pay attention in class, and go to office hours. I put in a real effort, but I simply cannot grasp calculus. I really want to drop it 2nd semester, and replace it with a regular (non AP) statistics class that still counts as a math class. I’m already taking 3 other AP/IB classes, so my courseload is pretty rigorous. Thoughts?
P.S. I’ve already been accepted to Colorado, and I should hear back from Boston College, TCU, SMU, and Santa Clara by the end of the month (EA schools). If I end up dropping Calculus, how do I let them know? Also, how should I let my Regular Decision schools know?
Most schools are pretty generous with this stuff. You should probably email your regional admissions counselor if possible and let them know you are going to make the change. No school is going to rescind you for switching classes but you are playing with fire if you fail the class.
Rescission of admission is a possibility if the student changes schedule (particularly to a less rigorous choice) and the college does not find out until it receives the final transcript after the student graduates high school.
Are you still looking at engineering? failing AB calc and a 4 in SL math doesn’t bode well for calc for engineers. As you say, IB SL should cover some AB calc class (many kids will sit the AB calc AP after SL) so AB calc should really not be a challenge.
IB math SL theoretically covers precalculus topics with an introduction to calculus, so that students who complete it are theoretically ready for calculus. Of course, if the student does not do well in it, then his/her readiness for calculus may be in question.
My counselor told me to take Math SL IB, but it was a disaster. I had a first year teacher who even confessed that he was learning the material “a chapter ahead of what he was teaching us” and I struggled a lot. I’m not longer going to major in engineering…I like the mechanical side and building and designing things which is why I was initially interested, but seeing as I’m struggling badly with Math SL and especially AP Calculus AB I changed to a different major.
And yes, in theory I should know everything, but my teacher skimmed over a lot of the precalc to focus on preparing us for the IB test which covered a lot more than just precalc concepts.