<p>17 Credit hours at college (English (3), Java 2 (4) Chem (5) Calc (5)) with a most likely failing grade in Calc…</p>
<p>or…</p>
<p>i drop calc, only have 12 credit hours but no failings.</p>
<p>I know both will deal major damage to me but the academy said that special consideration is given for people who are working, which i am. So i think a few than the 15 credit hours they recommend (12 hours is still full time at our college) but i think having an F on my transcript until i retake it (and during this years admission it will be an F) will be even worse.</p>
<p>So based on your experience what would you say?</p>
<p>Where did you hear that The Academy gives special consideration for people who are working (and what is special consideration, exactly)? I'm doing work study at college-would that qualify for "special consideration"?</p>
<p>In regards to your question, I would say it would probably be better to stay in calc and just tough it out, study as much as possible and try to scrape a passing grade. I'm taking 17 credits as well, and I'm also wdoing work study and XC/Track and Field. You just have to find some way to make it work. If you set your mind to it, you can most definately pass calc (it doesn't matter who you are).</p>
<p>I recalled that docfrance had given you some advise last year on this, so I did a search to see what he had to say:
[quote]
The best thing you can do is go to college and take a VERY tough first semester load of courses that are similar to the core curriculum for freshmen at USAFA (Calc, Chem, English, Physics, History, etc) and then go through the app process. As soon as your first semester grades are posted--get a transcript sent to USAFA. An admissions officer once told me that a 3.5 or higher carrying 15+ hours in the first semester of civilian college, GREATLY increases ones chances of an appointment.
[/quote]
It seems awfully early in the semester to decide that you will "most likely" fail Calc. Why not take this as an opportunity to see how you would respond to the stress and challenges that you would face at the Academy? My suggestion is to stick with your schedule and find a way to bring that Calc grade up to at least a C. If you score A's in all of your other classes, and a C in Calc, you would have a 3.41 GPA, which is close to docfrance's recommendation. Obviously, a "B" would be even better - with most of the semester still in front of you, that should be your goal.</p>
<p>Agree with grappler that it's aweful early to know you have failed the course. But assuming you are correct in your assessment, I believe an F in calculus on your transcript would be a big obstacle to receiving an appointment. Especially with the heavy emphasis placed on quantitative skills at USAFA.</p>
<p>Think I would rather explain why I dropped the course (if the question comes up) than to explain why I failed the course.</p>
<p>To reiterate a little of what's already been said: Unless I'm missing something, there's no reason you should be writing off calculus so early. Get the help you need, pass the class, and then perhaps you'll also place higher in the math courses here and will have already gotten that level out of the way with.</p>
<p>If you are going to lighten anything, drop English or Java. If you drop Calculus, then you are done for the entire school year. There is help available for Calculus... seek it out!.Sometimes in the beginning it can be confusing, just push through with it. My son started it and was ultimately confused but perservered and it became clear and he got an A.</p>
<p>I have been making use of my colleges Math Resource room as well as going to my teacher before and after each class. I also have a slight advantage cause i did all this stuff last year, however it is much more difficult this year than last.</p>
<p>My professor is known around the college for his "challenging" classes. Assistants in the math resource groan when ever they see us come in, knowing the intensity of the problems.</p>
<p>I have my first test tonight and i am extremely stressed out over it but am trying to keep my head clear knowing i have done all i could and studied ever since the first day of class for it.</p>
<p>Once again thank you for the input and encouragement - it really helps - especially from the people here!</p>
<p>I don't like saying this - but AFA is a very technical school, lots of engineering and math. If you're doing poorly in Calculus, maybe you should re-think your career interests.</p>
<p>There are a lot of classes everyone has to take here (core classes) to include, but not limited to: astronautical engineering, aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, engineering mechanics, behavioral science, physics, chemistry, biology, some math (how much depends on how high you place and what you major in), military strategic studies, history, political science, social science, English, and law.</p>
<p>That being said, you don't need to be a math genious to survive here. Despite that this institution is known as a technical one, you do NOT have to major in something technical (although you do still have to take all the classes I listed above plus some more plus everything in your major).</p>
<p>The test wasnt that bad. I went there 2 hours earlier to just get a few things in order and talked with my instructor. We talked about the academy and he was very impressed. I expressed my worries that given what has occured thus far i may fail the class. He said he deffinately would not let me fail, given the time and effort i have put forth so far which was really encouraging.</p>
<p>So i think at this rate i can hump it out to the semester if i can hold this.</p>
<p>Excellent! Good job Snipper. Sometimes all a teacher needs to know is you have your sites set beyond next weekend and they'll bend over backwards to help you. I think all academy candidates should let as many people know their goals as possible. You never know where you're going to get help.</p>
<p>Don't give up!. My daughter was a music performance major with no math/science background. She decided she wanted to be a Dentist in the Military and started taking all of the math/science combination. At first she had issues, but has all A's and will be attending dental school. You just need to get into the right mindset for your goal...and do it.</p>