<p>Schools applied EA: Georgetown, Boston College, Notre Dame, Umich, NEU, and Case Western.</p>
<p>I've called Georgetown and Boston College (top choices) and they essentially tried to maintain neutrality on the issue, leaving it up to me. They told me to do what is best for me and that will be considered. Basically, the best is my sanity as I can't handle calculus: the class, subject, and teacher. I struggle insanely and I just can't keep up with it, especially with the way my class is structured. I've exhausted quite a few resources...friends, teacher, etc, all but tutors (which I can't afford). I'm pretty dead-set on dropping it in the middle of the semester because I'd rather not be in the class for the rest of the semester. I'm pretty much looking for opinions on this...I'm planning on replacing it with an independent study course focused on speech work/research or something in history (both stronger fields). I'm planning to major in both political science and history so I feel as though calculus isn't needed for me. I can't move into anything else lower; it's a simple drop. </p>
<p>I have to notify all my colleges about my dropping...should I include everything in context in the e-mail I'll be sending? Also, should I just wait until decisions are back to contact them...? Or would it be better to do it now? The latter would seem more honest and less sneaky.</p>
<p>I guess I can say I'm an "ok" applicant...20th/654, 14 AP classes taken by the end, lots of extracurriculars that demonstrate what I'm about (all non-math related). I jsut want to enjoy my senior year...calculus is just chirping away at my B days (it's my first class) and it's being quite the pain.</p>
<p>PLEASE, I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME OPINIONS ON THE ISSUE!!!! Ask questions because there's a lot around this...THANKS!!</p>
<p>I’m going to just put this out there…Calc is preventing me from doing what I love most, which is speech and debate and will possibly hinder me from other activities. I’m in 4 other AP classes and journalism (actually very busy). There’s a lot to this, haha.</p>
<p>If you absolutely have to drop it, that’s your choice to make, but it will NOT look good to the colleges. IMO, you should make yourself push through at least another two weeks and see if it’s still unbearable before you make a final decision. Don’t drop unless you really can’t stand it.</p>
<p>And as far as notification goes, I’ve heard colleges don’t like to drop admission offers if they can help it. It would definitely be more honest to notify them right away, but as far as your chances of actually getting in, it might be a better idea to wait to tell them. You’re the only one who can wrestle with that problem.</p>
<p>From this and your previous posts it appears that you’ve been struggling with this decision for a while.</p>
<p>Without belaboring the reasons for your dropping the class and your dislike of math the bottom line is whether or not you can get a passable grade (say “B”) in this class. If you can, then I recommend that you overcome your angst regarding the class and calmly work your way to that B. Perhaps your school has peer tutoring and this may get you to that B. (Frankly though with your strongly stated reasons for why you don’t like the class and the subject I wouldn’t want to be your tutor:-( )My understanding is that the class is in fact a 2 semester class, so after you get that B don’t continue with calculus for your final semester.</p>
<p>If however you are likely to fail the class then drop it. A “W” for an elective is better than a “D”. Don’t over explain the reason for doing so. Telling college admissions committees that you “hate” math, or that you have better things to do with the hours that dropping the class will free up is unlikely to receive a positive response. Say you’re withdrawing because of your desire to concentrate more fully on other (challenging) classes, or something like that. In the explanation I wouldn’t mention the reason as to spend more time on your ECs. Academics trump ECs.</p>
<p>Would it be best to just hold off then? A little dishonest…but the way I see it, I have a better chance of getting rejected if I tell them now as opposed to being rescinded later, I think. I don’t know, it’s up to me and I’d like some opinions cuz I’m quite boggled on this issue.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much going to fail…it’s inevitable. Thanks for you input!!</p>
<p>Depending on how your school works, you might not have enough math credit to graduate (though I suppose you’ve taken everything up to calc, so you should be fine).</p>
<p>Still, Calc is a core class. Dropping core classes is a big nono.</p>
<p>Is it AB or BC or honors? If its BC, you could ask to switch to AB, and you’ll have already “covered” all the material, and more or less be reviewing for the rest of the year for the AB exam, which you should do pretty good on.</p>
<p>Clarification: it will come up as “WF” and it will get calculated into my gpa…It’s Calc AB, btw. And I will have enough math credits to graduate. If I haven’t mentioned already, I’m an intended political science/history major.</p>
<p>As others have said, you should hunker down and raise your grade if at all possible (and, frankly, with a bit of tutoring or focused study, you should be able to). A W will affect admissions.</p>
<p>I don’t think I can…I’ve gotten peer tutors and tried talking to the teacher. i’m pretty sure he dislikes me strongly and my grade is really loow…I’m not sure if I could raise it. Like I said, it’s putting a real strain on me and i just can’t handle it anymore. This is the the lowest plunge I’ve taken and it’s not because I got lazy, it’s just that I was never into math…runs in the blood XD. I’ve always had A’s in math and this would be the FIRST time I’ve run into this situation…</p>
<p>Ok well you haven’t tried looking up lectures on youtube. That was a saver for me last year when I was in calculus. I understand what you’re dealing with. This year I’m in Physics B and I am getting destroyed and this is the first time I don’t have an A in a science class. I would agree with the statements above, dropping the class would show up as a red flag. In most applications, they tell you to email them immediately following a change in your shedule - and there you can explain what happened.</p>
<p>Actually…I looked up khanaacademy youtube videos and I think they’re really good…it’s just that my teacher’s tests are different…I watched a few of the derivative videos on youtube and I understood them but they didn’t help with the tests…unfortunately. I guess I should do that, no point in holding it back (too sneaky) or I can just hold it out another month and then drop it, haha.</p>
<p>I’m really not sure, but assuming you drop it you could sort of hedge your bets: be forthright with half of your schools; tell the other half AFTER getting either accepted or rejected.</p>
I understand what you’re dealing with. This year I’m in Physics B and I am getting destroyed and this is the first time I don’t have an A in a science class. I would agree with the statements above, dropping the class would show up as a red flag. In most applications, they tell you to email them immediately following a change in your shedule - and there you can explain what happened.</p>