<p>What should I tell them? Should I mention I'm having a lot of trouble with the class? I don't want to sound stupid.</p>
<p>Find the admissions counselor for your state here:</p>
<p>I know the conversation is moving beyond ideas for how to get through the class, but I thought I would just put in some ideas anyways.
Assuming you don't drop the class...</p>
<p>If you have mentioned this I apologize, but have you actually spoken to your math teacher and told her you are having difficulties understanding the material? I know you mentioned that she is nice, so she sounds as if she would be sympathetic to your troubles. She may be able to give you additional resources or extra help, perhaps she may even ask you how she can help you better understand the material? Of course, be careful how you discuss this with her and try to be non-confrontational.</p>
<p>As far as a study group goes, don't automatically assume other students in your class won't want to participate. You mentioned that you don't know them well, and it may be possible that they are having difficulties with the class but aren't expressing their problems. I don't want to sound like I'm in any way bragging here because I am definitely no math genius; however, I do sort of give the impression that I do well in my math class (I actually do fairly OK), but I really do get freaked out about pretty much everything calculus-related and I know I would definitely be receptive to a study group. I know my teacher encourages us to have them. Anyways, the point here is that you shouldn't be afraid to try and form a study group because the other students might be more receptive than you think. :) The worst that can happen is that they will say no. </p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck in whatever path you choose to take!</p>
<p>"If you have mentioned this I apologize, but have you actually spoken to your math teacher and told her you are having difficulties understanding the material? I know you mentioned that she is nice, so she sounds as if she would be sympathetic to your troubles. She may be able to give you additional resources or extra help, perhaps she may even ask you how she can help you better understand the material?"</p>
<p>I tried this first semester and she just told me to work harder. I hate to be mean, but she's just a lousy teacher. There's no way around it. She's one of the most hated math teachers in my school.</p>
<p>Rumor has it she got a lot tougher this year because a bunch of kids tried to take advantage of her last year. It might not be true, but it explains a lot. All I know is she's been of no help, even one-on-one.</p>
<p>Anyway, I have some questions, and if anyone can help answer them I'd really appreciate it:</p>
<p>Should I call one more time? If not, why not? If so, what should I say? Should I focus on the teacher? Should I mention I'm having trouble with the material? Should I bring my major up? What is the best way to talk to an admissions representative without putting them off?</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm not panicking. I'm just trying to weigh my options, get advice and make the best decision possible. This really is a torturous class for me, so I'd prefer to drop it if I can.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's help! It's really appreciated.</p>
<p>Anyone? Please, these are the questions I came here for answers. I would very much appreciate it if someone took the time to assess my situation and give my some thorough advice and answers to my questions. I don't have a lot of time to figure this out. Thank you.</p>
<p>You should talk to Cornell.</p>
<p>I dropped Physics for next semester after talking to my ED school.</p>
<p>What exactly is this advanced math class you are having trouble with? Plenty of good prep books are available up through Calc BC and Stats. It would be harder to get help with courses like Multivar., Diff. Eq, Lin. Alg., etc, but since you're a musician I doubt you'd be taking a class of that kind. If you've been accepted at Cornell, you should be able to handle Calc or Stats with the help of a review book, and you can ask questions on CC as well.</p>
<p>Don't assume that getting into an Ivy means I'm good at math.</p>
<p>If I do call, what should I say? Obviously things didn't goover well the first time.</p>
<p>Just_browsing, what is your ED school?</p>
<p>k....are you going to pass the class? that is the real question...if you pass, you should be fine</p>
<p>It's possible but just as likely that I won't. It's hellish, useless, and if I can get out of it I would LOVE TO. How many times do I have to reiterate how miserable this class makes me (the extremely high dropout rate should be an indicator of how much it sucks)? If it's a really bad idea to call the school again, I won't, I'll take all your advice on what to do if I stay in. But it's the end of my senior year, I'm miserable, and if I can, I would very much like to and get the hell out of it. So if I do call again, what should I say?????</p>
<p>My 2 cents worth....stick it out, stay in the class, and don't call school again. You've "made it" through half of the year.......however, you need to get yourself focused on something other than about how miserable you are, or nothing will change. Find out who the top 2 or 3 kids in the class are, pick one, and ask for help. If you're not comfortable doing that, check with the head of the math teachers at your h.s.....if there's a math honor society, (Mu Alpha Theta), there are kids who get volunteer credit for tutoring. If all else fails, pay for the math tutor. If you really, really want to stay at Cornell, it's worth it. and, stop being so emo about it.</p>
<p>Talk to your admissions rep at Cornell, mention that you are a music major, and say that you are having a difficult time with your math course and are very stressed because of it. Don't blame the teacher (it will sound whiny). If you get the same answer, you will have to stick it out. </p>
<p>Here is what I would suggest (pretty much what astrophysicmom just said).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Arrange a meeting with your math teacher and either the head of the math department or your GC. Explain your ED acceptance, and the fear that it will be revoked. Say that you are working hard, but just not getting it. What can they suggest?</p></li>
<li><p>Additional books in your subject may help a great deal. </p></li>
<li><p>Reading ahead in your own text will help you understand the material. It will also let you ask better questions in class as the material is presented - which will help you and your classmates. This is how my son emerged from AP Physics and Calc with his GPA in tact. </p></li>
<li><p>Where are you looking for tutoring help? You may be able to find a college math major who will do it cheaper.</p></li>
<li><p>Working with your classmates is an excellent plan. Your own feelings of social nervousness should not let it stop you. Think of it as good practice for next fall at Cornell: you will be meeting lots of new people there.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My D had the worst cacl teacher(don't get me started on the uselessness of CALC for mant seniors, other math classes would be soooo much more useful)</p>
<p>Anyway, she went to the other teachers in school who tutored her, they actually knew how to teach the class, her teacher, eh....</p>
<p>What you have in Calc classes are kids who "get" it and wnat to do math seriouslly n college and those that take it because it is "required"</p>
<p>my D is taking AP Stats and is a happy camper, the stuff is more "real life" to her.</p>
<p>What to do, call and ask one more time, or have a friend call...seems asking for advice is a good think. Its not like they will pull your file, and go, oh bobby called and is asking questions about this....</p>
<p>Do you have a college near you? As you are reading this, get on the phone can call them up and get a tutor started ASAP so if you have to stay in the class, you can pass it....</p>
<p>Be very proactive and you kind of need to change your attitude a bit....my D HATE and I mean HATED Calc as a Junior, teacher stank, etc, but she knew she had to get through it, and walking around angry and disgusted about it didn't help, she found when she did that she shut down in the class and it got worse, so find out teachers office hours, see other teachers....</p>
<p>good luck, and I sympathize, having been there...</p>
<p>Hey, thanks everyone for being helpful, understanding, answering my question, and not calling me lazy/whiney/emo/etc. I just wanna ask one more thing: Are you sure I should tell them I'm having trouble understanding the material? I'm afraid they'll think I'm too dumb for Cornell.</p>
<p>If the class you refer to is Calc, I can guarantee you will NOT be the first person who has called Cornell to discuss dropping it. Even people who are very good in math often find Calc to be daunting. I speak from experience! I am awesome at math, but hated, hated, hated calculus!! I passed my college calc classes, but I didn't excel in them by any means. My point is, it is widely considered to be a difficult class. I have heard complaints about awful calc teachers from many students, both high school & college. I suspect it's because there is a certain logical type of mind that finds calc easy/enjoyable --- and they can't understand what it is that the rest of us mere mortals don't get. So, you won't be telling Cornell anything they haven't heard time & again. They want you to challenge yourself, to stick with what you started, and to learn the logic that calc imparts. You can certainly call & talk to them. Be honest ... and don't think you'll sound stupid. Again, they have heard it before. You will probably find your admissions rep to be supportive & helpful, even if he/she doesn't want you to drop the class. GIve it a try --- you will probably feel better after you call. Cornell doesn't want you to have your admissions rescinded & be s****ed over because you then have no good college options. They aren't heartless! Talk to them!!</p>