Dropping Calc 1! :(

[Wakaaa]

Well, I am currently a freshmen at a community college. I have taken Chemistry 1 and Psychology during the summer. I received a B+ in Chemistry 1 and a A+ in Psychology. I am currently taking General Chemistry 2, Biology 1, Calc 1, Writing 1, and a 1 credit class which is required by every freshmen for a total of 17 credits + the 7 credits I have taken during the summer.

I am really struggling with Calc 1, the time I put into studying for Chem and Bio aren't even nearly as equivalent to the time I put into Calc 1. I am getting a C-, if not D. I wake up Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7 in the morning to drag myself to Calc 1. I put in the effort to wake up that early for a class that's so depressing and stressful. I really am trying hard to get a good grade in that class, but the time i'm taking currently to get an A in General Chemistry 2 and B in General Bio 1, is not nearly enough to get me higher than a C- in calc 1. I don't need it for my major... I wake up for Chemistry Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 also, but I really like Chemistry. My head hurts after every calc class, its not hard, but the tests and quizzes are nearly impossible. The teacher was telling me during an office hour visit that many 4.0 students have struggled to obtain a grade of C or higher. I really don't know what to do. If I drop, I would only be taking 12 credits instead of 17, but i've taken 7 in the summer so I think that makes up for it. I would have so much more time to focus on other classes, less stress and headaches, if I was to drop it and get a W.

Do you think it's worth it if I drop considering the massive headaches, stress, and time that I put into that class? I know the semester ends in about 1 month, but the headaches and grade I receive are so not worth that 1 month.

Any suggestions or comments would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

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[bing12]

drop it, take it during the winter at another 4-year school.

 

[MrAvicii]

only a handful of schools require calc. if you dont plan to go to those schools you dont even need calc (unless you need it for your degree.) so dont sweat it kid!

 

[uva09]

Unfortunately, I think this is a discusion you should have had months ago. It's also a conversation better suited for guidance counselors and school mentors.

As you noted, the semester ends soon. Because of that fact, your options are limited. You probably should have dropped the class early on and exchanged it out for something else - a move that would not have been reflected on any transcripts.

Because you attend a Community College, your class work and grades are going to be held to a higher degree of scrutiny in the eyes of dental schools and traditional 4-year universities you may be considering transferring into.

If you cannot handle Calculus 1 at the Community College level, it is unlikely you will be able to handle, what will undoubtedly be a tougher variant, at a traditional university.

Any dental school is going to want to see that you pushed yourself with an extensive course-load each and every term - with an added focus on math/science courses. Going from 17 credits (heavy load) to 12 credits (moderate load) and receiving a "W" in any class will raise red flags. You must be prepared to explain this if you pursue that option.

My advice would be to immediately meet with your Calculus instructor. Explain your situation. Explain what you are doing. And explain your goals beyond the classroom. Find out if you can pull your grade up to a B- or C+ by the end of the term. Get a tutor. Go in for extra help. And it will pay off. You are better off getting a B- or even a C+ in the class than withdrawing from the class at this point.

In the long run, I think it could be fairly damaging to drop a Calculus course this late in the semester at a Community College if your ultimate mission is to attend a dental school.

As others have said, Calculus is not required everywhere - but this fact is largely irrelevant at this point as you already made the commitment and the semester is nearly over.

 

[thesituationPhD]

Don't kill yourself and your gpa. Take the W. No one will ask about it, especially because its freshman year.

 

[uva09]

Don't kill yourself and your gpa. Take the W. No one will ask about it, especially because its freshman year.

False.

If it's on your transcript (which this move would be) - it can and will be evaluated. Every applicant's transcript and course history is analyzed exhaustively.

So, no one is going to be curious as to why someone went from 17 credits to 12 credits a month before the end of term? No one would question why Calculus was dropped in November as opposed to early September? Or what the larger ramifications are of a student dropping any class at the Community College level?

Would a "W" in any course, freshman year, or otherwise, make or break a candidate applying to dental school? Impossible to say. Most likely not.

But why put yourself in the position of those questions. If you are going to drop a class this late in the term, you need to have a convincing explanation. And the "it's too hard and time consuming" or "the tests don't mirror the coursework" montra is not going to favor the student well.

Again, this is not to be mean - it's just the reality: you are already at a disadvantage if your goal is dental school, or for that matter, any professional school coming from a Community College. You do not want to highlight anything sub-standard by demonstrating an inability to handle course work at that level.

It's November. If this class is that hard, you probably were aware of that fact a week into school. You didn't act then. Options are limited now. Buckle down for the last few weeks and get the grade you are more than capable of achieving! You will be glad you stuck with it.

 

[doctor123456789]

chem, calc, bio all in your first qtr/sem? Didn't you talk with your counselor about the classes ur gunna do?

Those are pretty heavy classes to do all at the same time in your first sem. Don't just think that because its a community college its going to be a joke and you can load it up.. The derivative of sin = cos; whether you learned it from a cc or uni

 

[thesituationPhD]

False.

If it's on your transcript (which this move would be) - it can and will be evaluated. Every applicant's transcript and course history is analyzed exhaustively.

So, no one is going to be curious as to why someone went from 17 credits to 12 credits a month before the end of term? No one would question why Calculus was dropped in November as opposed to early September? Or what the larger ramifications are of a student dropping any class at the Community College level?

Would a "W" in any course, freshman year, or otherwise, make or break a candidate applying to dental school? Impossible to say. Most likely not.

But why put yourself in the position of those questions. If you are going to drop a class this late in the term, you need to have a convincing explanation. And the "it's too hard and time consuming" or "the tests don't mirror the coursework" montra is not going to favor the student well.

Again, this is not to be mean - it's just the reality: you are already at a disadvantage if your goal is dental school, or for that matter, any professional school coming from a Community College. You do not want to highlight anything sub-standard by demonstrating an inability to handle course work at that level.

It's November. If this class is that hard, you probably were aware of that fact a week into school. You didn't act then. Options are limited now. Buckle down for the last few weeks and get the grade you are more than capable of achieving! You will be glad you stuck with it.

Its the OP's choice whether or not to drop the class. I personally have had 8 interviews, and have 2 W's in a pre req from rather late in my career. I have not been asked once. As long as that is the only blemish in your application you will be fine.

 

[Wakaaa]

Its the OP's choice whether or not to drop the class. I personally have had 8 interviews, and have 2 W's in a pre req from rather late in my career. I have not been asked once. As long as that is the only blemish in your application you will be fine.

Thanks alot. I dropped it but I am ashamed. Went from 17 to 12, but ten again the 7 from the summer makes up for it. So technically I will have 19 after my first semester. I will be taking orgo 1, bio 2, and trig (the math class I need), and writing 2. I will be leaving after my 2nd semester at my community college.

 

[uva09]

Its the OP's choice whether or not to drop the class. I personally have had 8 interviews, and have 2 W's in a pre req from rather late in my career. I have not been asked once. As long as that is the only blemish in your application you will be fine.

Clearly, it's the OP's decision.

There is a distinct difference between being asked directly by an admissions officer, either via email or at an interview, about one's academic record and having admissions officials raise questions amongst the committee members behind closed doors. That latter you would never know about.

I think that's fantastic that you were offered interviews with "W"'s on your record and it may provide some solace to the OP - but that is simply not the norm, nor is it recommended if your goal is to be a competitive future applicant.

 

[doctor123456789]

Thanks alot. I dropped it but I am ashamed. Went from 17 to 12, but ten again the 7 from the summer makes up for it. So technically I will have 19 after my first semester. I will be taking orgo 1, bio 2, and trig (the math class I need), and writing 2. I will be leaving after my 2nd semester at my community college.

Where will you be transfering to?

 

[Wakaaa]

Where will you be transfering to?

I'm open to any suggestions on anywhere I should transfer, but I have set my mind on the universities I was accepted in during highschool. Benedictine University or UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago).

 

[doctor123456789]

Go to a UC School. University of California. There are 9 undergrad ones, and they are the best. 5 out the 9 are in the top ten of public universities in the nation. Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Davis, Santa Barbara, Irvine..
They are all amazing that should really mean something if 5/9 of them are in the top ten. and the others are great as well, even one of the lower ones, UC riverside is amazing. For example; UCLA med schools reserves 24 spots explicitly for the bio program at ucr every year. I say go to a UC! Best in public education, best in public research. And talk about best in parties as well if that's your boat? UCSB oh yeah. And with that school you live literally on the beach, and the campus has a private beach.

 

[doctor123456789]

promise you wont regret it

 

[thesituationPhD]

Thanks alot. I dropped it but I am ashamed. Went from 17 to 12, but ten again the 7 from the summer makes up for it. So technically I will have 19 after my first semester. I will be taking orgo 1, bio 2, and trig (the math class I need), and writing 2. I will be leaving after my 2nd semester at my community college.

Don't feel ashamed just don't let it happen again. People have dropped a class before, people have gotten C's before, and guess what they've made it into dental school. Just keep plugging.



"There is a distinct difference between being asked directly by an admissions officer, either via email or at an interview, about one's academic record and having admissions officials raise questions amongst the committee members behind closed doors. That latter you would never know about.

I think that's fantastic that you were offered interviews with "W"'s on your record and it may provide some solace to the OP - but that is simply not the norm, nor is it recommended if your goal is to be a competitive future applicant. "

It's not recommended to do a lot of things, i took my chances hoping that I was strong enough to get through with it. Ill let you know how it turns out i guess 😉

 

[BizzyV]

A W on your transcript is not the end of the world.

 

[KillaGorilla]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaCodgL9cvk[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Wakaaa]

Thanks everyone. I will be transferring itt after my first year at a community college, but since I'm ahead chemistry, should I start orgo one at my last semester at my community college and take organic 2 my first semester at a university? Or should I just save it until university?

 

[DentalJedi]

Thanks everyone. I will be transferring itt after my first year at a community college, but since I'm ahead chemistry, should I start orgo one at my last semester at my community college and take organic 2 my first semester at a university? Or should I just save it until university?

I would wait and start at the 4 year university. You're going to want a solid background before org 2. I wouldn't risk getting a poor teacher/curriculum in org 1 then taking org 2 at a more rigorous school. Org is hard enough as it is, so don't give yourself any disadvantages. Take some general classes (english, sociology, whatever) that will transfer to the 4 year school to save money, but save most of the prereqs for the university.

 

[Wakaaa]

I would wait and start at the 4 year university. You're going to want a solid background before org 2. I wouldn't risk getting a poor teacher/curriculum in org 1 then taking org 2 at a more rigorous school. Org is hard enough as it is, so don't give yourself any disadvantages. Take some general classes (english, sociology, whatever) that will transfer to the 4 year school to save money, but save most of the prereqs for the university.

I'll finish off bio 2 though because I already have started bio 1. I'll take anatomy when I transfer to the 4 year university. So I'm look at trig, bio 2, and a bunch of electives. I guess that when I transfer most of my classes will be science classes because I will be taking electives during the summer.