Sweating ap Calc grade

A

abby2015

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
12
As I type we are sweating recission of appointment due to AP Calc grade. Our son's final is tomorrow. 70 is a pass at our school. He may pass the marking period but not the year due to a fail third quarter. We leave Tuesday for CSP. All his others grades are 80's and 90's except Calc. He notified admissions in May of the issue and was told to wait until the end of the year. Here we are and admissions called yesterday to say there was a major problem. We are hoping this doesn't cause him to be pulled out of line. They want the grades on Monday and we leave Tuesday morning. Advice, words of doom, or encouragement are welcome.
 
Plan for the worst and hope for the best. If admission called and said that I'd plan for attending a plan b school and reapplying next year. I won't ask for details on why he failed the class but if there were verifiable extraneous circumstance admissions may take that into account.

Also prepare yourself bashing. I hope the posters on here will refrain and I may head it of by just saying this don't worry about what got you into this mess focus on the solution. The failure happened what matters now is what you're going to do going forward.
 
Good luck. I'm glad I'm in his shoes. Keep us posted. And if there is any bashing...ignore it.
 
Agree no need to bash. If he got to this point I am sure he has worked very hard to pull his grade up.

All you can do at this point is provide the grade and cross all your fingers and toes. I will be for him! If it ends up with a failure any chance maybe the teacher can write a letter to talk about all his hard work? Might not help, but hey pull out all the stops at this point. Good luck.
 
Thanks navy hoops. That is an excellent idea. There are at least four others in a class of 15 that are failing. We are thinking of providing the class average and number of failures as well as the information that this teacher will not have the course next year. That is, provided Guidance agrees to provide the info.
Thank you all who responded for your positive thoughts. We appreciate it.
 
abby2015 said:
Thanks navy hoops. That is an excellent idea. There are at least four others in a class of 15 that are failing. We are thinking of providing the class average and number of failures as well as the information that this teacher will not have the course next year. That is, provided Guidance agrees to provide the info.
Thank you all who responded for your positive thoughts. We appreciate it.
Click to expand...
One wonders about a class/teacher where 1/3 are "failing." Yes, the idea to get a personal letter from the Teacher/school is excellent. If you can, try ANYTHING/EVERYTHING possible.
 
I've noticed an increase in bashing and it really bothers me, especially here. I've recommended this forum to many people who were interested in the Academy as a friendly place to gather information from experienced parents, ALOs, cadets and people who work in AFA admissions. There's a big difference between telling the hard truths and being condescending and unhelpful. I'm not going to drop any names, but I sincerely hope some of the posters try harder to encourage applicants in the best way possible. That's all I have to say about that.

I concur with all of the previous posters! A grade can be influenced by any number of factors, try to give the AFA the full story. After that, whatever happens happens. Life is all about recovering from failure. Own it.
 
I am so sorry for your son's situation. I'll be thinking about your son tomorrow. Wow! I thought revoking admission for failing 1 class was a stuff of folklore or at least just threats to keep seniors from falling completely of the tracks. 1/3 of a class failing is not good. I think it speaks volumes that your son called to inform them of the situation.

If anyone else is reading this thread and will be taking Calculus next year, please think about reviewing the videos on the Khan Academy website - it's free.

There are definitely good teachers and bad teachers. My son struggled some until we found a tutor who was amazing. Unfortunately, we waited until 4th qtr...he was able to pull a B out. Son wished he had spent more time with Khan Academy in the 1st half of the course.

Good luck and stay strong. I'm sending a strong hug to you!
 
OP, if possible, could you let us know the out come? Totally up to you guys though if you don't wish to share! Good luck.
 
Best of luck to him.

I too hope nobody bashes him.

JMPO, but what is important now should be what he does next, be it attend USAFA or go Plan B.
~ He needs to not forget what got him there, but at the same time to motivate him in the future.

If he has his appointment rescinded, he needs to dust himself off and move on with his next step. Many officers face adversity, it is what they do next that makes them a great officer.
~ Part of that is the support system at home, be it parents or spouse. He has a great support system with you. He will be fine.

If his appointment is not rescinded, than reflect on how to not get there again.
~ There are crappy teachers everywhere, and crappy profs. too! He can control only what he can control, which would be looking in the mirror and saying I gave 150%. He was the student, not the educator.
~ 1/3rd failing might be typical within the school. It could be that the teacher has tenure. It could be that they do not require pre-reqs, such as Honors and any student could take the course.

I would talk to the GC, but also remember that right now they are busy too with closing up the records. Every college requires a final transcript.
 
The appointment probably won't get rescinded. I failed calculus and english my senior year of high school. They weren't happy, but they said that it would be OK. My problem is I hate studying, but in the USAFA, we follow a regimental schedule which makes sure that everyone studies appropriately. I can tell you that if I had gone to a regular college where you sleep/go to class/study/eat when you want I would've probably not made it BUT I am doing good at USAFA with a 3.41 G.P.A.
 
abby2015 said:
at least four others in a class of 15 that are failing
Click to expand...

4 of 15 failing is pretty normal, and to me seems like the healthy number of failures to have in a high school calculus course. Rather than just passing them with easy work, the teacher has taken it upon himself/herself to re-enforce that academic work only gets more challenging and rigorous as you progress. 4 failures in a calculus class of 15 isn't excessive, assuming the other 11 got A, B, or C. This teacher might have just taught those four a valuable lesson, that substandard work is never acceptable. If your son can learn that lesson now, then the cost of the USAFA appointment is small potatoes.
 
abby2015 said:
We are thinking of providing the class average and number of failures as well as the information that this teacher will not have the course next year.
Click to expand...

As someone with first hand experience with the admissions people and how they work, this is the WRONG thing to do. It comes off as making a bunch of excuses, and trust me, if your son cannot learn to blame his failure on HIMSELF rather than someone else he WILL NOT succeed in this environment. The simple truth is that calculus is a very precise subject. There is one answer to every calculus problem, and high school calculus is never taught at a level which that answer is impossibly difficult to attain.

He failed, plain and simple. He failed to master the material, he failed to approach the instructor for help when he knew he was doing poorly, he failed to correct his mistakes before failing a marking period which is going to cause him to fail the year. This is almost entirely HIS failure, and HIS failure alone. And he has to accept that.

The best thing to do is to tell admissions that he tried his best and failed, but has learned much about (list specifics) how to improve himself from that failure so that it never happens again. This is the best strategy forward.

Good luck.
 
PhilDavidsonUSAFA said:
4 of 15 failing is pretty normal, and to me seems like the healthy number of failures to have in a high school calculus course.
Click to expand...

That is the thing impo. There are over 2000 HSs in this nation. What is pretty normal at your school could be shocking at funneyesq's HS.

I am not disagreeing with you, I am saying we don't have enough background information to make any assumption whether 1/4 is common or uncommon at their HS. We don't know their school profile.
~ Just like we don't know your HS profile and failing 2 classes, but not getting that phone call. It could be that your HS was top 100 in the nation and 50% went Ivy, whereas, their school has 5% go Ivy. It is why they look at the school profile too for PAR.
~~~ FWIW, I have no desire to know the school background, only used it as an example of how everything is a player in the equation.

Right now, as a parent, my heart breaks for them. The amount of stress and sleepless nights must be unbearable. My heart goes out to them. The idea that it comes down to the 11th hour is heart wrenching, especially if they did not pay the deposit for plan B school.

This thread can become a reference in the future why you should pay that deposit, especially if you have an AFROTC scholarship.
~ If they didn't pay the deposit AND USAFA does not allow them to attend, than come fall it is not attending a 4 year, it is attending a CC.
 
PhilDavidsonUSAFA said:
abby2015 said:
We are thinking of providing the class average and number of failures as well as the information that this teacher will not have the course next year.
Click to expand...

As someone with first hand experience with the admissions people and how they work, this is the WRONG thing to do. It comes off as making a bunch of excuses, and trust me, if your son cannot learn to blame his failure on HIMSELF rather than someone else he WILL NOT succeed in this environment. The simple truth is that calculus is a very precise subject. There is one answer to every calculus problem, and high school calculus is never taught at a level which that answer is impossibly difficult to attain.

He failed, plain and simple. He failed to master the material, he failed to approach the instructor for help when he knew he was doing poorly, he failed to correct his mistakes before failing a marking period which is going to cause him to fail the year. This is almost entirely HIS failure, and HIS failure alone. And he has to accept that.

The best thing to do is to tell admissions that he tried his best and failed, but has learned much about (list specifics) how to improve himself from that failure so that it never happens again. This is the best strategy forward.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Since you have experience of failing 2 classes as a senior in HS and not having your appointment rescinded maybe you could give more anecdotal advice on how to achieve this.

My intention is not to be mean, rude or unkind. It is, you are cadet at USAFA with experience in this is aspect. The OP as a parent and many rising seniors will benefit in your experience from the days you were just a candidate.
~ I think they are at the point of stress, that any hope is hope. That all they want is to believe, BUT at the same time they need to be a parent. They need to expect the worst outcome, and as wonderful your posts are, reality also will set in the near future, i.e. 6 hours from your last post.
~~ Maybe a PM to them will be beneficial, if you have not done that already.

I truly mean this with respect. What did you do that garnered their support? Were you just the avg candidate? By that I mean 1400 out of 1600 SAT, 4 years athletics, etc.

I am not trying to flame. I am trying to assist.
 
PhilDavidsonUSAFA said:
abby2015 said:
We are thinking of providing the class average and number of failures as well as the information that this teacher will not have the course next year.
Click to expand...

As someone with first hand experience with the admissions people and how they work, this is the WRONG thing to do. It comes off as making a bunch of excuses, and trust me, if your son cannot learn to blame his failure on HIMSELF rather than someone else he WILL NOT succeed in this environment. The simple truth is that calculus is a very precise subject. There is one answer to every calculus problem, and high school calculus is never taught at a level which that answer is impossibly difficult to attain.

He failed, plain and simple. He failed to master the material, he failed to approach the instructor for help when he knew he was doing poorly, he failed to correct his mistakes before failing a marking period which is going to cause him to fail the year. This is almost entirely HIS failure, and HIS failure alone. And he has to accept that.

The best thing to do is to tell admissions that he tried his best and failed, but has learned much about (list specifics) how to improve himself from that failure so that it never happens again. This is the best strategy forward.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
No offense, but you are making a lot of assumptions that are unfair to the Basic to be. The only thing I can agree with in the above post is that the Basic to be does need to take responsibility for what happened. Anything in life is your OWN responsibility and if that is not his attitude going in, he will be doomed. That said, I still believe it to be a good idea to TRY to talk to the PTB and see what they say explaining the difficulties with this PARTICULAR situation, showing that you take full responsibility and what you have learned in the process going forward. Surely it could help. I also believe in nothing ventured, nothing gained. What if it could have made the difference? I too hope that his appointment is not withdrawn AND I hope that he learned a very valuable lesson. Although, to me, 1/3 failing seems high, others did succeed and the question is was it really too hard, the teacher, something else, or was it that your priorities were not as focused on success? I don't want to make an assumption...I will say this though it is difficult to OWN up to your own contribution/responsibility in things and the sooner you get that lesson, the better your life.
 
Pima said:
Were you just the avg candidate? By that I mean 1400 out of 1600 SAT, 4 years athletics, etc.
Click to expand...

No, I made a 1580 on the SATs and did 2 years of varsity basketball. I was also ranked 3rd at a very prestigious high school (I failed the 2 classes after ranking was closed) and National Merit Finalist. Had offers at 3 Ivy League Universities and UT Austin (my safety school).

funnyesq said:
I also believe in nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Click to expand...

Hah, if you venture excuses, then you will see a worse outcome than if you had just accepted your failure at USAFA. Most of the assumptions I made are very likely applicable to the OP.

Pima said:
This thread can become a reference in the future why you should pay that deposit, especially if you have an AFROTC scholarship.
Click to expand...

I'm sure many, many (respectable) civilian schools would also rescind acceptance for a math course failed for the year.
 
PhilDavidsonUSAFA said:
Pima said:
Were you just the avg candidate? By that I mean 1400 out of 1600 SAT, 4 years athletics, etc.
Click to expand...

No, I made a 1580 on the SATs and did 2 years of varsity basketball. I was also ranked 3rd at a very prestigious high school (I failed the 2 classes after ranking was closed) and National Merit Finalist. Had offers at 3 Ivy League Universities and UT Austin (my safety school).

Not trying to flame, but you had 1580 out of 1600, and NMF, offers to 3 Ivy Leagues, yet you failed 2 classes as a senior? Two teachers had it in for you?

I am just asking if the failures were because you had senioritis or teachers? Looking back what would you say was the cause? Your answer, even from an anecdotal aspect will be a great value to posters here.

OBTW, normally I am a cynic when it comes to posting SAT/ACT scores because they superscore, however, you are an NMF, not an NSMF, thus you were outstanding as a junior in HS when it came to the PSAT.
Click to expand...
 

I failed because I missed so many days of school that I almost didn't graduate. Senior year I had to answer to a judge about my truancy, and fortunately he only ordered me to do community service, and I was able to graduate.
 
So, in essence this was not about comprehending the material, but another issue itself.

I respect your support for the OP, but can you say that it is the same for them? Yours was truancy that created the failure. Theirs is failure is inability to pass the subject.

Two different things impo, and saying I got a pass for 2 Fs is not in the wheelhouse they are dealing with USAFA currently.

Basically it is apple and oranges.

This will be hard to read for the OP, but if they do rescind, it might be a gift. going Plan B ROTC might mean that he will blossom next year. He will be a mentor when he becomes an officer.
~ Sometimes you need to believe in fate.
~~ Trust me in the ADAF world when they are deployed, believing in fate is all you live by everyday.

The path is not always straight, usually it is crooked with many twists and turns.

God Bless. God Speed. Thank him and your family wanting to defend this great nation.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top