Is this fair?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>This year I received my senior schedule and was left in utter dismay and disgust. My 4th block read "Discrete Math Honors". I am not repulsed by the name of the class. What bothers me is that the class I am actually in is AP Calculus AB/AP Calculus BC. That means, the 1st semester, I will be doing AP Calculus AP work and the 2nd semester, I will be working on Calculus BC.</p>

<p>It turns out that I was placed in Discrete Math honors because I already have a credit in AP Calculus AB and the school doesn't want me having 2 credits for a single class. That's fine. What irritates me is that I will be taking the same texts, and doing the same assignments as my [peer, but if they get an A, they are awarded 2 extra points in their GPA calculation (6 points). On the other hand, if I manage to get an A, I only receive an extra point to my GPA (5). </p>

<p>Yes, it might not seem like a big difference but it is. My class rank is on the line. If I am not placed in AP Calculus AB, I will possibly slip to #2 in the class ranking, and that's something I will not tolerate. </p>

<p>I just don't think it's fair that I am taking the same tests, assignments, and doing the same homework as my classmates, yet they get an added bonus for their effort. Yes, i have taken AP Calculus AB before, but this policy is absolutely ludicrous to me.</p>

<p>I intend on speaking with my Guidance Counselor, and if that doesn't work, I think I will write a letter to the principal.</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Omg Number 2? Write A Letter Immediately, This Is An Outrage!!!</p>

3

<p>Maybe you should get rid of math at school and take an easy AP like Psych or Env. Sci and take Calc III and Diff Eq at a CC</p>

4

<p>HisGraceFillsMe, am I sensing a bit of sarcasm? I have put so much effort into being number one. anything less is simply a big disappointment. I have put in too much work to lose it on something as stupid as this. :(</p>

5

<p>More than a bit.</p>

<p>Honestly, I understand having put in a lot of work, because I've put in a lot of work into being Top 40 at my school (That's like a big honor at my school when you're in a class of almost 1,000), but really...1 spot is not going to make or break you. Do what you can, but it's not a life-altering thing.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the helpful advice, swim2daend. I have already taken both AP Env. and AP Psych. It's too late to sign up for classes at my local CC at this time, but I will certainly be doing so come January.</p>

7

<p>Since HisGraceFillsMe took care of the sarcasm, it's time for the real advice.</p>

<p>You are not going to die if you are number 2. May be take another AP with FLVS and drop your math class?</p>

8

<p>Not only that, but I also think it looks bad when you go from an AP Math class to a lower-level Honors Math class.</p>

9

<p>I think it is a good idea to talk to your GC and such because it doesn't seem fair. I do agree with the other posters, though...being #2 won't kill you.</p>

10

<p>i know that #2 may seem just as good as #1 to most of you guys, but i think what rosh is trying to say is there is no legit reason to go down in ranks. there's a difference between working really hard and complaining about getting #2 (which is lame), and working really hard but going from #1 to #2 because of the stupid school system, not because of effort.</p>

<p>just talk to the right people in your school, i'm sure you could get it fixed.</p>

11

<p>Of course it won't kill me. I do know that. But I have worked my way up from the very bottom of the ranks by taking numerous online courses, dual enrollment courses, and AP courses. I just feel that when I have worked this hard for something that I want so much, it's unfair that I could lose it due to a fairly foolish school policy.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for your advice, blackwhitesilver. I really like what you have said, and do feel the same way.</p>

<p>i will speak to my Guidance Counselor, and if that doesn't work, I think I will write a letter to the principal.</p>

12

<p>It's unfair...maybe you can skip ahead in the class?</p>

13

<p>I would recommend coming up with a better argument than the rank for switching classes before talking to the counselor or principal.</p>

14

<p>TheVeganActress, I don't think you really got the point of my rant. Yes, the ranking is a primary reason as to why I want the course name to be changed. But it boils down to principle. it's not fair that i am receiving HONOS credit when I am taking an AP course.</p>

15

<p>that's pretty much my point. you don't want it to be a rant. you need to make a convincing argument when you try to get this changed.
going in and saying "it's not fair" "it's lowering my rank" or something like that likely won't help.</p>

16

<p>How about this... what if you asked your school if you could audit the AB semester, as in take the class but don't get an official grade. Then for the second semester, you get graded for BC, and only the second semester would be factored into your gpa.
It's what I did when I had to repeat a math class for a scheduling problem...</p>

17

<p>Wait... so why do you need to take another semester of calc AB if you already have a credit in it? Is there any way to just take calc BC?</p>

18

<p>Ahhaha, is this guy serious?</p>

19

<p>What would people on here do if they went to my school school which doesn't weight AP classes at all...? =&lt;/p>

20

<p>bennis, my school doesn't weight either. I love it.</p>