Screwed up summer course, Please Help!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Santa Clara University
1

<p>I feel like such a failure right now.</p>

<p>I am a junior going into my senior year of high school and was really looking for ways to develop and show colleges that I am ambitious and can handle a college-level curriculum. So through this program called Young Scholars at Santa Clara University that let's high school students take college courses at a reduced price, I signed up for MicroEconomics and Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 (also the very first calculus class I have ever taken, I had rising confidence in my math abilities after since I had gotten A's both semesters in pre-calculus), then also signed up for C Programming at a local community college, thinking I could handle it all.</p>

<p>But math has never been my strongest subject, and my teacher isn't that good, so I have gotten absolutely floored by this extremely fast-paced calculus class. I'll admit that I completely underestimated how hard these fast-paced summer courses would go and I slacked off and overloaded myself at the same time.</p>

<p>I got a B on the first midterm and I've been getting A's and B's consistently on mini partner quizzes we've had in-class, but mostly in part because of the help I got from my much smarter partners, but I just finished my second midterm and felt absolutely terrible about it. I haven't gotten the actual grade back yet, but just know that I didn't do well.</p>

<p>Since this is a summer course, basically the entire curriculum is graded based on 3 exams, something my puny high-school brain had a hard time comprehending when coming from a world where you can always make up a grade with extra credit or more homework.</p>

<p>My parents are suggesting that I try to drop the course, even though it ends in a week and we still have a final, but I just feel so pathetic right now.</p>

<p>Would colleges (including Santa Clara University) prefer it if I dropped the class and accepted only my good grade in micro for the summer, or tough it out and take that with a not-so-good grade in calc as well? How much would it affect my admissions next year? Could I just choose not to report the grade since it's an independent summer course? I'm trying to transfer into AP Calc AB for my senior year as well, would doing well in that class make up for the summer course?</p>

<p>Thanks to any and all who reply with some advice.</p>

2

<p>If you drop the course at this late date, does it show as a “W” for “Withdraw” or will you get an F because you stopped taking the class? There is a huge difference between a W and an F. If you can withdraw and get that “W” then just do it, don’t worry about it again, and if needed, when you apply for colleges make a BRIEF note (3 sentences max) that simply explains the W by stating something like “In my zeal and enthusiasm I signed up for 3 summer courses and realized that I had taken on too many courses.”</p>

<p>Btw, most people take 1 or 2 summer courses at maximum in summers. The pace is brutal during the summer, so even 2 courses can be a disaster if they are concurrent. </p>

<p>However, if you keep all your classes and manage to get a B in that class, that is actually fairly impressive. I think the problem area is if you are going to end up with Ds or Fs, because then the W is a far better route.</p>

<p>As for reporting/not reporting–is this a course with other college students? It sounds like it is a legit class that is being given for college credit. You must report it… not to mention that at SCU they will obviously have a record of it anyhow.</p>

3

<p>Looks like last day to withdraw is the 20th (tomorrow). If you are going to withdraw, don’t miss the deadline!</p>

<p>Also, from what I read, you are earning college credit, so you do need to report it when you apply for colleges… both at SCU and other schools.</p>

<p>I would say if you are getting a B or better in the class, keep it. If you are getting a C or lower, drop it.</p>