<p>I would drop the class. In order to bring your year end grade up to a C or even C-, you'll need B level work at least from here on. That's a lot of pressure. You'd be stressed the rest of the year. It's not like you're not putting in the time already (imo 5 days for an exam is more than enough). I think the W at this point is better than the risk of a D or lower at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Sax-girl
What are your strengths and what did you say on your apps as far as where your interests lie.
If it is the sciences, then it may reflect badly to drop the class, but if you are going into one of the humanities, dropping it and saving your GPA might not be looked at poorly. </p>
<p>No matter what, if you fail the class that will NOT look good. And unless you have some idea that you CAN catch up, dropping it may be the lesser of 2 evils.</p>
<p>I am sorry for your predicament. However, it is an easy class where good math tutor might make the whole difference. Depending on a major in college, you might need it. If you do not get it noe, how are you going to get it in college? College classes are much harder than AP in HS.</p>
<p>I think this student can do well in calculus, but she may not do well at the moment. There are several factors. Confidence, age, teachers,... A good teacher can make students learning calculus without going through a lot of homework drills. My professor made my calculus class so easy for me. In college, the TAs are also very helpful.</p>
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<p>Yeah, this seems good advice. While I hate advising students to drop classes, I think attempting to understand a course when it's already really intimidated you, and you feel behind, isn't productive. </p>
<p>Did you feel that first semester was hard too? If so, then it might genuinely be a bad time to try and catch up, but else, I actually think you can do it. </p>
<p>Best of luck :) :) hang in there. </p>
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<p>They can and do make it more rigorous! And, actually this isn't necessarily true. For instance, the intro calculus sequence at my school is popularly taken by premeds who probably already aced Calculus AB/BC in high school, and now want A's. So it's actually harder to do well in than some more advanced classes, at times.</p>
<p>I did fine calculus easier at 19 than 16. I just felt like my brain was ready. I think in the OP's shoes I would call the admissions offices and ask what the consequences for dropping calculus might be. One alternative, might be to drop calculus at school, but take up a distance learning or community college calculus class where she starts over, this time making sure she gets help before she gets lost.</p>
<p>Rather than calling the admissions officers about the consequences of dropping calculus, ask your guidance counselor. He or she should have a good idea of how they'd regard it.</p>
<p>I guess I need more info to comment. </p>
<p>Is this a year-long class, or a block that you just started last month? If the former, what was your grade first semester? If the latter, than there is time for tutoring to help you catch up. How'd you do in precalc/trig? Which text do you use? (Some are a LOT better than others.) What does the rest of your senior schedule look like?</p>
<p>When I was struggling with an AP Statistics class in high school, I transferred out of the class to another senior math class. It didn't show as a drop on my high school transcripts. It just showed a different math class for the trimester involved.</p>
<p>Theorymom, the major I am interested in is political science with a possible double major in international relations. UCLA, I also like your idea. I'm thinking of maybe switching into regular calculus as opposed to AP. I will talk to my teacher today and try to make an appointment with my guidance counselor.</p>
<p>Saxophone, if your school offers a non-AP calculus class that sounds like a good idea. I never think to suggest it, as our school doesn't have one.</p>
<p>Hi saxophone,
My daughter dropped an AP science class at semester, after early admission to Yale. She contacted her admissions officer for permission first, and he was so kind and compassionate. He told her it was no big deal to drop the class. I've told this story on other threads: she actually had more trouble getting an A in ceramics, the class she added, than in her science class! </p>
<p>Don't panic. If you decide to drop the class, just notify the colleges where you have been admitted, and the ones still studying your application, that you need to update them on your spring semester schedule. If you are still within your high school's window to drop the class, there is no need to make a "full confession" about why you are dropping calculus. It's a hard subject. Give yourself another shot at it.</p>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>What would a non-AP calculus class teach? What other calculus is there besides calculus?</p>
<p>I think it just moves slower and covers less of the book. :)</p>
<p>But if you don't get through derivation and integration, what's the point? What can the course leave out, while still being a calculus course?</p>
<p>I have a similar problem. I'm currently getting a D in BC Calc (because of one bad test grade...the only test we've had this term, we should have a few more so I should be able to recoup some), but could I be risking being rescinded (my year grade so far is good, so it could probably keep my year-end grade in the B range even with a D/C this quarter).</p>
<p>I got into Brown early decision, so I'm really worried about this...</p>
<p>gary45, if you really think you know the stuff, then stay in the class. If you can get a B that will show the schools that you have a "stick to it" attitude. However, I would recommend you retake the class in college if you plan to go farther with math.</p>
<p>Hmm...I definitely know the stuff and am staying in the class, my issue is whether this will get me rescinded. My grade for the last 2 terms has been an A-, so it's not even like I've been struggling in the class. It was just ONE bad test and I've managed to convince myself that it's going to get me rescinded.</p>
<p>I just want your opinions to be sure this won't get me rescinded...they'll only care about that end of year grade, right?</p>
<p>Cardinal Fang, it's not that hard, you don't learn a year's worth of material. You don't get college credit. You take calculus again in college, but it will be easier, because you've seen the first __ months of material. Many parents here recommend retaking calculus even if you've taken AP Calc. (I'm not one of them though it may be that some kids may want to retake calc in college* if * the college course covers more material than AP Calc, or they feel their understanding is shaky, or they do poorly on a college's own placement exam.)</p>
<p>Gar45: I can't speak for the colleges. But, it would be better for you if you are proactive with them. Write them a letter to let them know that you are aware of the situation. Don't make excuses (unless you have something like you had a liver transplant). Accept responsiblity. Tell them you are doing better and expect at least a "B" for the second semester. If they were on the fence about you, it will give them reason to take a wait an see attitude. If they were going to recind anyway, then it didn't hurt.</p>
<p>BTW: Are you talking about a Quarter or Semester grade? At my kids school, the transcript only has the Semester Grade, not the Quarter Grades. Is the "D" in the 1st quarter or 2nd quarter? If you are passing the 2nd quarter, then send them your quarter grades to demonstrate you had a rough begining, but are now up to speed.</p>