Grades

Student Lounge College Life
1

I am currently a freshman studying engineering… the first semester is almost over and I am failing both chemistry and calc. I have a shot at passing chemistry but no chance in calc. Do you guys think I should drop calculus, or drop it before the deadline?

2

Dropping is preferable to failing in most cases.

3

Thanks but would dropping an important class (chem) affect my chances while applying to top graduate schools?

4

Dude, I wouldn’t worry about graduate schools. You need to graduate the one you’re in first. You’re already 2 classes down. The real question is why are you failing? You need to fix that problem first. Good luck.

5

@zanzanh Are you on a scholarship? Will dropping put you below full time? Are you going to tutoring and office hours?

6

If you have “no chance” at passing, then I would drop it.

7

Is it too late in the semester to drop the class? Check deadlines. Does the professor curve the class at all? Sometimes your grade doesn’t turn out to be quite as low as you think due to a curve. Ask these questions ASAP and find out where you stand. Some schools let you retake a class you fail and replace the grade. Find out your school’s policy on this. As @gearmom pointed out, you need to make sure you don’t drop to part-time and impact any scholarship/FA. Good luck. Engineering is not easy.

8

Things to consider:
0) ** Are you past the Withdrawal Date? Check in the academic calendar for your college. **

  1. ** Will taking a W move you from full time to part time? ** Full time is usually 12 credits (check your college). If you are part time you are not eligible for financial aid or living in dorms.
  2. ** Is this class needed for your major? ** If you don’t take it now, will you have to take it again? Will it cause you to fall behind in keeping up with your major classes?
  3. **Why are you getting a F? ** What happens the next time you get a F? W again? One W is okay, but a pattern shows that you have difficulty with college.
  4. **Will Withdrawing from a course make it difficult to graduate on time? ** Will you need to make it up in summer $$ or do you have extra credits from HS?
  5. **TALK TO YOUR ADVISER ** before you make any decisions
  6. **Can you raise your grade? ** Check this post for ideas
    http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html
  7. If this course is in your major, is this the right major for you? If you are pre-med but are getting a F in Biology, maybe this is not the major for you. If you are getting a C in an elective, that is another story.
  8. **Sometimes W’s are necessary. ** My daughter was in the hospital for a week early in the semester…she Withdrew from one of her courses because she would not be able to catch up on all her courses if she kept all the classes. She has AP credit so won’t need to do extra semesters. She will have to take more sciences at once now, though.
9

No i am not on a scholarship and yes I have used the tutoring services, but have not gone enough.

10

As a freshman in engineering Calculus is an important course. Without passing that class you won’t be able to proceed further with the math sequence in engineering. Talk to your advisor immediately because you may have to change your course schedule for next semester if you fail the class.