<p>Listen, AP chemistry is one of the most difficult courses offered in most high schools. It looks like this kid is trying everything possible to get a good grade. However, will-powern alone is not enough to get through those types of ultra-challenging courses.</p>
<p>As to those of you who asked why he signed up for it if he doesn’t have the intellectual prowess, I will say this. Nobody know exactly what they are getting themselves into. You don’t have the ability to “taste-test” a course for a week to see if it’s a good fit for you (before signing up). My guess is that the prequisites were easy for him, but this course is just too difficult. It happens and the OP’s son is not a god who can predict the future.</p>
<p>My advice-if all else fails, talk to the guidance counselor about dropping it for something easier (or dropping science altogether). That may be the only way out of it. Some people have a mind for science and some don’t. Perhaps the OP’s son should consider an alternate route (other than the sciences). This is an unfortunate part of the major selection process.</p>
<p>I wish I could see you and your shiny little 5 when you enter the workforce with that attitude. The op came on for help, not for some silly show off. </p>
<p>OP, my suggestion is a tutor, meeting with the teacher every day and devoting at least an hour to chemistry. Your dd or ds might also look into a study group- those work wonders.</p>
<p>Hmmm. As a professional with 30 years’ experience, I can tell you that I’m plenty grown up. Your lack of empathy will be much more significant in your first job than the 5 from your chemistry AP.</p>
<p>OP came to the right place looking for empathy and suggestions. You offered neither.</p>
<p>"
My advice-if all else fails, talk to the guidance counselor about dropping it for something easier (or dropping science altogether). That may be the only way out of it. Some people have a mind for science and some don’t. Perhaps the OP’s son should consider an alternate route (other than the sciences). This is an unfortunate part of the major selection process."</p>
<p>Yes, better to do this than to get a “D.” Colleges know that not everyone --even at top colleges – has the ability to do well in AP chem. The student would also need to let the college know how the student tried to pass the course, and why the student decided to drop to an easier course.</p>
<p>I’m never one to whine but having all advanced classes is HARD. </p>
<p>I get A’s & B’s except for Organic Chemistry w/ a C. I know exactly what your son is going through. I dont know how his school operates but does it work in marking periods? I have two marking periods left to get that C into a A and I’m more than sure that i can do it.</p>
<p>I dont think that your son is lacking the “prowess” needed to pass the course. Different courses have different learning techniques and this is what he has to essentially master. He needs to find out what is hindering him from grasping the material and conquer that. </p>
<p>It would be extremely unfortunate if his acceptances were rescinded so he should use this as his motivation to do better.</p>
<p>& she DID come for help so if you have something bad to say go elsewhere with it.
We’re not ALL geniuses & some of us ACTUALLY have to work for our grades.!</p>
<p>Ouch…AP Chemistry, so many bad memories lol. I’m more of a social sciences/humanities guy, but somehow I was able to pull off A’s in both AP Chem and AP Physics C (I got a C in calc AB though so meh). Just tell your son to approach learning the subject in a different fashion…that certainly helped me when I took it (For instance, I made a song that helped me remember the solubility rules and got an A on that test lol).</p>
<p>You are correct on one point, I should have ignored the newest newb as a ‘hormone raged teenager’, as you put it. My interest in this thread was to help the OP, and I’m used to having conversations on the Parent board. I forgot that there might be some kids on CC who are disrespectful and rude. </p>
<p>Good luck to him. I know AP Chem at my school is supposed to be difficult, and even I have been confused at times (and I usually can get like an 85% when a 50% gets you an A; don’t judge, we simulate the AP exam with harder problems). Most kids can pull of the B, but I know some of the humanities kids just don’t get it. I would suggest for him dropping it if he can and take regular chem instead (depending on his school). Good luck!</p>
<p>Here’s what I have to say about dropping the class: colleges will see that you have dropped a class and perhaps will rescind/reject you, according to my counselor.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar situation. I’ve always been a straight A math student, but I ended first sem with a C in AP Calc BC. After I realized early on that I wasn’t doing well in the class, I asked if I could drop down to AB, and I got an absolute no. Then I wanted to drop AP Spanish so that I could focus more on math. I got a warning that if i drop it, then my school will resend all my transcripts and I will run the high risk of being rejected/rescinded from top colleges. So I didn’t drop it, and now I feel and apparently look miserable. </p>
<p>I seriously was so discouraged that I started giving up on my other classes, and I ended up with two Bs in addition to my C. I know that Rice/Wash U will most likely reject me mainly based on these grades, so I feel for the OP’s son. </p>
<p>Appreciate the fact that he had the potential to get into a dream school, and move on. There’s always that possibility that the college won’t rescind, but I would start learning to love your Plan B schools.</p>
<p>I know you said your kid is doing everything possible, but I feel compelled to ask if he has brought an “Exam Review” book like Princeton Review.</p>
<p>Two thoughts-- make a call to the school and ask them for their advice! Call from a cell phone so your caller id doesnt come up and identify you-- I cant believe this has never come up before.</p>
<p>Secondly, can you switch to pass/fail?</p>
<p>Third-- beg the teacher and ask for extra credit projects-- this is your future and a little ass kissing is worth it to go to the school you want!</p>
<p>The truth is I just simply don’t know how to OP’s question. I don’t know if D will make her son be trouble or not. But when I scroll down to read what others think, I just cannot accept what newest said. His/her posts annoy me for several threads and so I decide to just say it here.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I would have just gone without even posting in this thread. Sorry OP</p>
<p>Actually…he received an “A” in regular Chemistry last year…and believe it or not, was already accepted to three schools as a Chemistry major!! He basically was hit with a bad case of senioritis, let things get away from him and tried to dig himself out a bit too late. He spoke to the teacher this week and took his 1st semester final…please keep your fingers (and some other things) crossed that he pulled it out…</p>
<p>It is too late to drop the class so I guess we will just see what happens…</p>
<p>i remember Ap Chem, which also brings back memories of Ap Bio. I was like your son i had received an A in Chem honors with the same teacher and ended up with a C at the end of the year. Ap sciences classes can be brutal and stressful during the senior year. I got reject from some of my top choices (among other issues also) but maybe talking to the teacher and pulling some extra work might help him.</p>
<p>If he can’t even get a B in AP Chemistry (or has no motivation to try in it - senioritis), I would highly recommend he reconsider what his major is going to be in college. Regardless, congrats on getting the C, hopefully things don’t go as poorly next year for him in chemistry.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but AP Chem just isn’t as hard. Unless your teacher is teaching things that are SIGNIFICANTLY more advanced than anything you will see on the AP Chem exam (which is highly unlikely), AP Chem is relatively straightforward - anyone with a middling work ethic, decent math skills, and decent logic skills should get at LEAST a B. AP Chem does not hold a candle to AB and BC Calc or Physics C in terms of difficulty. I would suggest that your son seriously evaluate his chemistry aptitude, to be honest.</p>