Question! I need help.

[JEW UNIT]

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Hello everybody. I have a situation and need some advice. I currently have 4 Ws on my transcripts (1 W in my first semester in CC and 3 W's in one semester in CC due to personal reasons). Well, I'm not doing well in physics right now and I am thinking about dropping it because I just don't get the material. I have a pretty full schedule (o chem II, Calc I, physics I, and 2 English courses). I don't want to screw up my transcrips as I have a decent gpa (3.6 science and 3.5 overall and I only got a couple of interviews with those grades; I have an interview at USN next week after presidents day). Will schools look away from my transcripts because of the 5 W's, if I need to apply again next year? Is there a way I can explain to the schools my reasons for the 5 W's during next year application cycle or am I just screwed? I'm doing pretty good and I'm getting all the material in the other classes; just not physics (I do spend most of my time studying and still not getting it). Any help will be greatly appropriate and thank you in advance.

 

[Passion4Sci]

No one can really say definitively whether 5 Ws will make you an auto-toss or not, but it certainly does NOT look good. Sure, you've got a solid GPA, but the first thought in anyone's mind is, "Well, he has a good GPA, but 5 Ws, so the conclusion is that he drops classes that he's not doing well in, then either takes them again later w/ an easier prof. or an easier class, or whatever."

It's just not a good thing to do. 5 Ws seems so excessive. Is there anything you can do? Any on-campus tutor that can help? Physics nerds LOVE to help people understand Physics!

If you have to drop it or otherwise face a C- or worse, then do so. But if you are getting a B/B- I'd keep it because 5 Ws is just.... yea.

 

[JEW UNIT]

I currently have 4. But I'm really studying my *** off. I can't seem to get it. Well atleast the problems. My school only have physics tutors during the same time I have physics class, the teachers office hours are in the 2 hours before (and I live about half hour away from the school and I take a class in between the two times), and he leaves right after class. I honestly don't know what to do. I get the problems we do in class, but when it comes to the actual homework, I don't get what I'm getting wrong.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I currently have 4. But I'm really studying my *** off. I can't seem to get it. Well atleast the problems. My school only have physics tutors during the same time I have physics class, the teachers office hours are in the 2 hours before (and I live about half hour away from the school and I take a class in between the two times), and he leaves right after class. I honestly don't know what to do. I get the problems we do in class, but when it comes to the actual homework, I don't get what I'm getting wrong.

Ah yeah I changed my reply to reflect the correct number of Ws, sorry.

The only thing you haven't mentioned is whether you've gotten together with one (NOT a study group, that crap hardly works for anyone) other student who IS getting it, and having them kinda show you how THEY do the homework.

That can really help. I needed to do it also in Phys, and it finally clicked in my head, so I know exactly what you're going through. You'll need to take Physics one way or another, and this term won't be any more difficult than any other term, so might as well learn it now.

 

[JEW UNIT]

That sounds like a good idea...It just hard to find time with work and all. I'll give that a shot. I think I'm screwed for my first test on Wednesday.

 

[SquirrelMonkey]

I have 4 W's as well and I had 5 interviews this cycle(Still ongoing). It's definitely not a "good," thing and it has been brought up at one interview for me but was not an issue--I don't think. Just be honest about your transcripts and you should be fine. For me I had W's in Calc and Chemical Engineering courses which were easy to explain.

Just stay hopeful and if your GPA isn't too strong focus on your extracurriculars and other ways to show the schools your applying to that your the best candidate for them.....On the other hand there's always truck driving school--Can't ever have to many truck drivers!

 

[JEW UNIT]

SquirrelMonkey - What are your stats and what schools did you apply to?

 

[SquirrelMonkey]

I'll be honest... My Stats suck, so I wont discuss them. I will however, say that I have phenomenal LOR's and extracurricular activities under my belt. I have also applied to UA, UNM, UI, WesternU, UColo, Umich,MidwesternCPG. It really doesn't matter what my stats are, what matters is what can you do this year that will make you stand out? Maybe you should volunteer at a soup kitchen, do research or adopt a Haitian kid...I dunno, but my suggestion is to do something besides volunteer in a pharmacy if you have blemishes on your transcripts.

“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

 

[JEW UNIT]

Thanx for the advice and being honest...I just got work experience pharmacy wise...The only volunteering I have under my belt is helping out the elderly, you know taking care of them and making sure they take their medication.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Thanx for the advice and being honest...I just got work experience pharmacy wise...The only volunteering I have under my belt is helping out the elderly, you know taking care of them and making sure they take their medication.

I wouldn't malign your volunteer work. Community svc, especially taking care of the elderly, the most "left behind" sector of our society. That will shine very well on you.

 

[JEW UNIT]

Thanx 🙂