Course dilemma

<p>I am currently taking AP European history. I'm not good at DBQ's and I don't feel like I will be ready to take the AP test, so I was considering taking the CLEP test instead.</p>

<p>Here's my dilemma:
-I am going into a very competitive major and I need the highest GPA possible
-With the CLEP, I'd save money but it wouldn't do anything for my GPA
-The class will cost ~$600 (which I rather spend on something else), but the teacher has awesome ratings and most people get an A or B (I really need an A in there)
-I don't really know how to study for the CLEP, but if I failed it I could take the class again</p>

<p>Should I take the CELP or take the actual class?</p>

<p>Also, if I take the CLEP, should I take it at my current college or the one I'm going to transfer to in the fall?</p>

<p>What?</p>

<p>What's your "competitive" major? If it's history, then if you can't do the DBQ you most will NOT be able to do a history major because you do deal with that kind of assignment all the time. Well, basically, all majors require similar assignment- reading several articles/books/documents and analyze them.</p>

<p>So I would skip out the CLEP and go straight for the AP. No one's ever prepared for the AP anyway. </p>

<p>Judging from your previous posts, you're a senior in high school? What do you mean by "Transfer" in the fall?</p>

<p>If you can't do a DBQ you won't do well in a "competitive" major. It's all the same skill set... why don't you practice them in preparation for the AP test?</p>

<p>
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What's your "competitive" major?

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I'm going to major in pharmacy and its really competitive to get into.</p>

<p>
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dging from your previous posts, you're a senior in high school? What do you mean by "Transfer" in the fall?

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Yes I am a senior right now. I'm currently attending college at one place and I'm going to attend a different college in the fall. </p>

<p>
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If you can't do a DBQ you won't do well in a "competitive" major. It's all the same skill set...

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I don't see how not knowing the process for a DBQ has anything to do with doing well in a major. There are plenty of kids who have never taken an AP class and have done will in their majors.</p>

<p>
[quote]
why don't you practice them in preparation for the AP test?

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My teacher hasn't taught us anything so far and I doubt she will begin teaching us anytime soon. The deadline to sign up at our schoold is on Tuesday. Only 4 kids in my class are planning on taking it because of her "teaching".</p>

<p>I've heard that the CLEP is easier to pass, so I thought it might be better to do. I could have all summer to prepare for it.</p>

<p>The AP test isn't even an option. I just can't decide between the CLEP or the actual class. It seems like World History has a lot of information, so maybe it would be easier to take the class?</p>

<p>QUOTE: I don't see how not knowing the process for a DBQ has anything to do with doing well in a major. There are plenty of kids who have never taken an AP class and have done will in their majors.</p>

<p>DBQ's require analysis. If you can't analyze (think logically about facts you have learned and apply these facts to the problem/challenge), you're going to have problems in taking classroom material into the real world. The sciences are analysis-based. Otherwise, what happens with all that research.</p>

<p>I'd say, work really hard for the next 3 months. Talk to your teacher about your DBQs. Have him/her show you a DBQ that was done right. Compare it with your DBQ. Have him/her show you where you are going wrong. Then take steps to do this. If you quit at everything that seems "hard," you're not going to succeed in life. You can do the DBQs if you really want to try!</p>

<p>"Not knowing the process for a DBQ"? It's not a distinct thing you know. Any history course requires you to read various sources, understand their perspectives and assumptions, and to synthesize and analyze them.</p>

<p>I agree with avcastner. Also you said you're taking college courses, I think you will do JUST fine with the AP- it is a "college-level" exam after all. Really read those AP review books, especially Princeton and REA, they do great job of explaning DBQs.</p>

<p>Pharmacy or not, stop whining. Think of this as a gen ed course that you need to take for college graduation. You want the credit, you're going have to get it even if you have doubts about your abilty.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Talk to your teacher about your DBQs. Have him/her show you a DBQ that was done right. Compare it with your DBQ. Have him/her show you where you are going wrong. Then take steps to do this.

[/quote]

My teacher is not willing to help at all. I have learned NOTHING from this class. I would have to majorly self studying which would be very difficult since my time that is already packed full with studying. I would literally have to stop sleeping. I already spend all my time that I'm not at work, sleeping, or showing doing homework. If I could take the AP test at the end of summer, I'd do it. Only 4 people in my class are taking the test for this reason.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Any history course requires you to read various sources, understand their perspectives and assumptions, and to synthesize and analyze them.

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I just realized that I kind of have done a DBQ in my college history class and I did ok on it.</p>

<p>
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Pharmacy or not, stop whining. Think of this as a gen ed course that you need to take for college graduation. You want the credit, you're going have to get it even if you have doubts about your abilty.

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I'm not whining about it and I just am trying to get advice about what I should do. My question is, should I take the class to raise my GPA or should I take the CLEP to save ~$600.</p>

<p>What would you be saving $600 for? AP classes should be free...</p>

<p>She means should she take the class in college, or take the CLEP?</p>

<p>I'm not taking all of my AP tests this February, so I know what you're talking about. Don't assume that it will be a GPA raiser or easy or that you'll know everything- a college World History class could be very very different than your AP class. I'm going to retake a lot of my AP classes in order to learn more... You'd be learning more if you took it in college, but I don't know if that's your goal.</p>