<p>should i withdraw from calc? </p>
<p>pros-higher GPA, more free time</p>
<p>cons-W on transcript, only 4 classes on transcript, no math on transcript</p>
<p>im planning to transfer to umich next year...im a frosh and dying in calc...would you guys advise i withdraw from it?</p>
<p>yes if you find it too difficult and it takes way too much time out of your schedule. idk though you should be able to get a B if you just do the hw and practice a lot of problems before tests. If you do drop it though, make sure you do well (especially if you are only taking 4 classes) + 1 W on a transcript is no big deal but don’t make it a habit to withdraw from classes bc it will look bad.</p>
<p>What’s your current grade in the class?</p>
<p>If it’s a D or F, the W would be far better to take than the grade.<br>
If it’s a B, leave it.<br>
If it’s a C, go talk to the prof for advice.</p>
<p>What is your major and what was the most recent math class you took and what grade did you get? Do you know what the sine and cosine functions are (without looking them up)? How is your algebra? How do you factor (a^2-b^2)? The ^ means “raised to the power of…”</p>
<p>If you can’t even handle calc, you’re in either two positions.
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<p>I think that’s a bit over the top. One could have had a solid education in high school in math, through algebra, geometry, even all the way through precalculus. Calculus, on the other hand, is just an entirely different branch of mathematics and involves a unique way of thinking that not everybody can master. It seems a little misguided to claim that people who never grasp calculus aren’t intelligent in general.</p>
<p>OP, if you haven’t talked to your professor, why don’t you try that and see if he can tell you or help you figure out where you’re struggling in calculus.</p>
<p>Calculus is not difficult in itself. I think the people who have trouble with it usually have weak algebra/trig skills. Usually, if you are taking a calculus course, it is assumed that you have a pretty decent mastery of trig and algebra.</p>
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<p>No. Many people struggle in calc. That does NOT make them dumb by society’s standards. Most people don’t even take calc unless they’re going into math/science majors.</p>
<p>ok i was in honors math all through hs…but geuss what? we could use calculators for everything which has crippled me…</p>
<p>its either 4 classes, 3.8 gpa ish and a W on transcript or</p>
<p>5 classes, max of 3.3 </p>
<p>im trying to transfer into u mich…will having that less class and W really kill me? im aiming for soph transfer too…</p>
<p>bump-anyone have advice?</p>
<p>Does UMich require a math from transfers? I think that’s the first question. Can we assume you’re a freshman?</p>
<p>yes im a freshman…and i am majoring in econ most likely so i dont think they require a math…</p>
<p>is a 3.8 over a 3.3 worth the W, no math, and only 4 classes though?</p>
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<p>Higher level courses in economics require Calculus and all sorts of other math.</p>
<p>Modern econ requires multivariable calc and fancy statistics classes. Better bone up on your math. Oh yeah, and you asked for help but didn’t answer my simple questions, which I need answers to in order to provide you with good advice.</p>
<p>I think having the W is really going to hurt you, but I would be shocked if a 3.3 got you in. If you’re going LSA, their average admitted transfer gpa is in the 3.7-3.8 range. And if you want to get in for next year, your high school record will be taken into account as well, so if that isn’t top notch that will hurt, too, but your college grades will still be most important. You’re hurt no matter what you pick.</p>
<p>If you REALLY want to get into umich, I think you really need to figure out calc and stay in it.</p>
<p>I am 99% sure umich does not require math for incoming transfers, but you will be taking math when you get here, if you get here.</p>
<p>“yes im a freshman…and i am majoring in econ most likely so i dont think they require a math…”</p>
<p>I go to Michigan. Would you like to see some of what we do in Econ? Not even econometrics, just micro. (And seriously, if you’d like to see some of the stuff we do, PM me)</p>
<p>If you’re having a hard time in calc you need to spend more time on it. If you spend a lot of time on it and you still can’t figure things out, don’t major in econ. If you find calc hard, that’s fine. If you find calc impossible, find something else to major in.</p>
<p>thanks a ton for the honest answers guys…so the w will really kill me? what if i take 6 courses next semester? ill try in calc but the midterm is tomorrow and ive spent all week studying…</p>
<p>500 on math sat, 700+ everything else :(</p>
<p>edit: its not IMPOSSIBLE, its just that i may not get higher than a B- in it which will kill my gpa and therefore my chances at transfering out</p>
<p>Study harder. </p>
<p>Seriously, figure your stuff out. Make it happen. Don’t come back and tell me it’s too hard.</p>
<p>“ok i was in honors math all through hs…but geuss what? we could use calculators for everything which has crippled me…”</p>
<p>That’s funny. I was playing around with my TI-89 yesterday, a calculator a bought over a year ago because I figured I’d need it for all the math classes required for my Statistics degree…but when I took my first Calc class they said “no calculators”. So I had to learn everything by memory and repetition without the benefit of a calculator. So the TI-89 just sat on my shelf for over a year.</p>
<p>I dusted it off and started playing around with it, only to realize it does derivatives and integrals!! I was happy to see this because one of my upper level Statistics course doesn’t have a calculator restriction, so I can use it for that class. I really don’t have any trouble doing derivatives and integrals because I was forced to learn how to do it by hand, but it’s nice to have the backup with the calculator going forward.</p>
<p>That got me thinking about some kids that might struggle with Calc coming out of high school because they got so calculator dependent. It seems you probably fit into that category. Many students with AP credit for Calc 1 and 2 often are advised to retake them on a college level if they don’t know how to do it by hand. Calculators can be great, but they are used as a crutch from learning the true knowledge behind the calculations.</p>
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<p>Did you take AP Calc? I have never once heard of a student who aced the AP exam being advised to retake Calc 1 or 2.
It’s a waste of time, and the student will be bored.
That’s because the AP exam has several no-calculators-allowed sections on the exam.</p>
<p>It’s very unlikely that a student can ace it without being able to do everything by hand.</p>