<p>I am at a community college here in CA and I'm trying to transfer to a UC or a CSU for Fall 2010 (meaning I've already sent in my apps). I have a big problem with regards to my pre-reqs. </p>
<p>Because I'm a business student, pretty much every school I applied to has Calculus 1A and Calculus 1B as pre-requisites on Assist. My plan was to take Calc 1A during the Winter Quarter (so I'm taking it right now) and then Calc 1B in the Spring Quarter. But I'm really struggling with the class, I've failed both of our tests so far (scored in the 60's), and although there are still two tests left, I'd say my chances at passing are at best 50-50.</p>
<p>This is the last week to drop the class, and while I will get a Withdrawal, that seems to be much better than failing and having to tell the schools that I failed. But the problem is that if I drop the class I will have to take Calc 1A again in the Spring, which means I will not be able to complete Calc 1B before transferring (since we can't take classes this summer to complete our pre-reqs).</p>
<p>So I need to know, will I still be able to get in to the schools I applied to if I don't have Calc 1b done? I will have all of my other pre-reqs completed, but when searching the forums here I haven't really gotten a clear answer on how bad it is to not complete all of your pre-reqs. I'm trying to decide whether it is worth it to drop the class if it won't really effect my admissions decisions (even after I update them and let them know I didn't complete all my pre-reqs) or if I should just bite the bullet and pray that I can pass the class? My odds aren't great but if not completing all of my pre-reqs will keep my from getting into most of the schools I get into then I guess I better try. Or would failing the class look a lot worse than not completing one of my pre-reqs, so therefore I should just take the safe route and drop the class? I'm really not sure what to do at all.</p>
<p>I applied to UCLA, UCSB, UCI, UCR, Cal Poly SLO, LBSU, SJSU, SFSU, Chico, Fullerton, and SDSU but my GPA is only a 3.2 so I'm probably an extreme longshot for UCLA (an maybe one or two other schools?) so I'm more worried about whether this would effect my chances for UCSB, UCI, Cal Poly SLO, or Long Beach.</p>
<p>If anyone could help me I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Retake Calc 1A during the Spring and take Calc 1B during the summer. Notify all schools of this!</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind, you really shouldn’t be failing Calc 1A. This doesn’t mean you’re unable to do exceptionally well in Calc 1A, it simply means you need to work harder on that class. Study more and go to tutoring (does your CCC have a math lab for free tutoring like SMC does?) Anyone can do well in Math… Watch online lectures and do problems that weren’t assigned by your teacher in addition to those problems that were assigned by your teacher… Just work above and beyond the course requirements. Do ALL of this and you’re bound to understand and even master the material!</p>
<p>I second mikei. You really should be able to do okay in Calc1a as long as you put some effort in. This is community college level calc, which means it is mostly memorizing formulas and applying them. </p>
<p>And I would think hard about this decision. I was just looking at the rules regarding pre reqs at all the UCs and some said it was okay to finish them by the summer and some said they must be completed by the Spring. I don’t think they are going to have much sympathy for you since you saved 2/5 Business pre requisites (and the hardest ones) for the last moment. </p>
<p>I think your best bet it to talk to the professor, tutors, and the smart people in your class, and figure out how to at the very least pass.</p>
<p>Personally i would gut it out and try for a B 2 60’s would mean you need a 2 90’s to get a B or close to it. </p>
<p>Don’t take a C in a 5 unit class that will kill your gpa but with a 3.2 your probably ok for the Csu’s and UCR i don’t know about UCI UCSB or UCLA though</p>
<p>I believe UCI/UCSB also require completion of Calculus for Business majors for consideration in most cases i would check with the schools though</p>
<p>“Retake Calc 1A during the Spring and take Calc 1B during the summer. Notify all schools of this!”</p>
<p>But don’t summer classes not count for pre-reqs? From what I’ve read they will only consider classes you’re taking by the end of the spring when considering your admission, so there doesn’t seem to be much point in taking it during the summer.</p>
<p>“Also, keep in mind, you really shouldn’t be failing Calc 1A.”</p>
<p>Yes, you’re probably right, the problem is mostly with concentrating. I usually just can’t pay attention to math teachers, the class is too boring. And then I get behind in the class and even if I try to listen I don’t understand what they are talking about. I just got help from one of my classmates today and it was so much easier that way.</p>
<p>"I was just looking at the rules regarding pre reqs at all the UCs and some said it was okay to finish them by the summer and some said they must be completed by the Spring. "</p>
<p>So then will they not even consider admitting me if I don’t have all of my pre-reqs done or is it just harder to get in that way?</p>
<p>“I don’t think they are going to have much sympathy for you since you saved 2/5 Business pre requisites (and the hardest ones) for the last moment.”</p>
<p>It has nothing to do with “saving them”, I was not aware that there were pre-reqs beyond the GE stuff until last spring. I had to work very hard just to make sure I could even be eligible to transfer after this year, it wasn’t as though I was putting these classes off willingly.</p>
<p>“So then will they not even consider admitting me if I don’t have all of my pre-reqs done or is it just harder to get in that way?”</p>
<p>Depends. With the exception of UCLA/Cal, I don’t think Biz/Econ is considered ‘impacted’ at the schools you listed. For impacted majors, I believe all pre reqs must be done to by Spring to be competitive. </p>
<p>Basically, you have a below average GPA for most of the schools you listed AND you didn’t complete all the prereqs by Spring. Yeah, I think you definitely have a chance at the CSUs and mid tier UCs, but you are sorta at the bottom of the pool of applicants. </p>
<p>“It has nothing to do with “saving them”, I was not aware that there were pre-reqs beyond the GE stuff until last spring. I had to work very hard just to make sure I could even be eligible to transfer after this year, it wasn’t as though I was putting these classes off willingly.”</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter what your excuse is. Facts are facts. You are going to be up against people who completed all their prerequisites by Spring and that is all that the UCs will know.</p>
<p>Ouch, you need to talk to each school you’re really interested in ASAP and not just take our advice. It seems as though both choices have the possibility to significantly hurt and/or ruin your admissions chances negatively. Pick up that phone before you make any decisions !</p>
<p>Before you drop or call schools, go talk to your calc teacher. High level math teachers are generally pretty understanding, or at least have been in my experience. If it makes you feel at all better, I Had a mid D in my calc I class after 3 tests, and after the final and last 2 tests, I passed with a high B. You have to decide if going to the best college you can is worth putting the extra effort into this class.</p>
<p>Hmm I’m surprised you say that … I’ve found/find my math and science teachers the least understanding and Calc 1A seems like a pretty basic (intro if you will) math class nowadays. Definitely some good advice though I didn’t even mention!</p>