Bad Grade Situation (Precalculus)

A

ac_1

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2024
Messages
33
As the title states, I will be receiving a D or Low C for my first quarter in Precalculus, no excuses just terrible at math. I studied, completed all my work on time, and I am currently looking into getting more help rom Calculus Students and a tutoring service.

Issue: I am a senior and West point WILL see this grade.

Solution: I get a high A second quarter and pray to god they see that I am studying harder and working harder.

My other course work includes 3 other AP classes all of which I will end the quarter with an A- or A in.

Does anyone have an advice? If I do not pass precalculus or display to USMA I can handle this course work, I've signed my own rejection letter.

I am not going to give up and will keep applying and I will get a better grade the next quarter because I want this, and there is nothing that will break me down from completing this application and getting a shot at the academy.
 
ac_1 said:
As the title states, I will be receiving a D or Low C for my first quarter in Precalculus, no excuses just terrible at math. I studied, completed all my work on time, and I am currently looking into getting more help rom Calculus Students and a tutoring service.

Issue: I am a senior and West point WILL see this grade.

Solution: I get a high A second quarter and pray to god they see that I am studying harder and working harder.

My other course work includes 3 other AP classes all of which I will end the quarter with an A- or A in.

Does anyone have an advice? If I do not pass precalculus or display to USMA I can handle this course work, I've signed my own rejection letter.

I am not going to give up and will keep applying and I will get a better grade the next quarter because I want this, and there is nothing that will break me down from completing this application and getting a shot at the academy.
Click to expand...
Keep bearing down. Grit is essential in this process.

Another thing to hope for - if USMA likes everything else about your application but is worried about math skills, they might offer you a spot at USMAPS or a scholarship to a prep school. That essentially says they are saving a spot for you in the Class of 2030 if you successfully complete the prep program. You don’t apply for those. When they consider you for direct admission, they also evaluate you for prep.


(Scroll down until you get to the right section.)


And - take the long view. Surely you have alternate plans. If you are not offered an appointment THIS cycle, you pivot smartly to your best alternate plan, and excel in first semester grades next year, especially math. A significant portion of each incoming class are college re-applicants.
 
Capt MJ said:
Keep bearing down. Grit is essential in this process.

Another thing to hope for - if USMA likes everything else about your application but is worried about math skills, they might offer you a spot at USMAPS or a scholarship to a prep school. That essentially says they are saving a spot for you in the Class of 2030 if you successfully complete the prep program. You don’t apply for those. When they consider you for direct admission, they also evaluate you for prep.


(Scroll down until you get to the right section.)


And - take the long view. Surely you have alternate plans. If you are not offered an appointment THIS cycle, you pivot smartly to your best alternate plan, and excel in first semester grades next year, especially math. A significant portion of each incoming class are college re-applicants.
Click to expand...
I was really thinking about this, If I can get my SAT math in decent shape, I think this option becomes very attainable. Thank you for the advice!
 
franknd said:
What is your SAT/ACT math score?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately my highest official score is 570. I have breached into the 600-610 range on practice tests and Im nailing the first math module, but falling apart on the harder math in the second module.

I have my final test scheduled for December, and I was going to take November, but my first congressional nomination interview is the same day, same time, so I cancelled the SAT.

I am capable of a better score, and I'm not going to stop studying until I get that score in December.
 
ac_1 said:
As the title states, I will be receiving a D or Low C for my first quarter in Precalculus, no excuses just terrible at math. I studied, completed all my work on time, and I am currently looking into getting more help rom Calculus Students and a tutoring service.

Issue: I am a senior and West point WILL see this grade.

Solution: I get a high A second quarter and pray to god they see that I am studying harder and working harder.

My other course work includes 3 other AP classes all of which I will end the quarter with an A- or A in.

Does anyone have an advice? If I do not pass precalculus or display to USMA I can handle this course work, I've signed my own rejection letter.

I am not going to give up and will keep applying and I will get a better grade the next quarter because I want this, and there is nothing that will break me down from completing this application and getting a shot at the academy.
Click to expand...
I know this probably won't comfort you coming from a reapplicant, but I was in the same exact situation last year. Good grades overall, but I got a high D my first semester of PreCalc. I am also terrible at Math, so I can sympathize with you.

Talk to your guidance counselor. In my case, I was able to take PreCalc again and have the grade replaced. It didn't scrub it from the transcript but salvaged my GPA.

I don't know whether that D was what sunk me last year but doing well in college math is absolutely doable. The study strategies I learned from struggling in PreCalc that first time helped me earn a MUCH better grade the second time, and I currently have an A in my college Algebra class.

Keep your head up and try not to let it ruin your Senior year.
 
BearDog567 said:
I know this probably won't comfort you coming from a reapplicant, but I was in the same exact situation last year. Good grades overall, but I got a high D my first semester of PreCalc. I am also terrible at Math, so I can sympathize with you.

Talk to your guidance counselor. In my case, I was able to take PreCalc again and have the grade replaced. It didn't scrub it from the transcript but salvaged my GPA.

I don't know whether that D was what sunk me last year but doing well in college math is absolutely doable. The study strategies I learned from struggling in PreCalc that first time helped me earn a MUCH better grade the second time, and I currently have an A in my college Algebra class.

Keep your head up and try not to let it ruin your Senior year.
Click to expand...
This is actually very helpful to hear! I always kept it in the back of my mind that first time appointment would be very challenging for me, which is why I have my safety schools and backup targets with ROTC, but hearing your perspective makes me hopeful I can turn this unfortunate situation around and bounce back from it. I will be speaking with my counselor at some point today, or early tomorrow. Thank you for sharing!
 
ac_1 said:
Unfortunately my highest official score is 570. I have breached into the 600-610 range on practice tests and Im nailing the first math module, but falling apart on the harder math in the second module.

I have my final test scheduled for December, and I was going to take November, but my first congressional nomination interview is the same day, same time, so I cancelled the SAT.

I am capable of a better score, and I'm not going to stop studying until I get that score in December.
Click to expand...
Try the ACT. It’s only 1 math section compared to the SAT’s 2 math sections. And it has a Science section too (reading/interpreting graphs and data, designing experiments, etc)
 
The ACT isn’t just the SAT of the Midwest anymore. Almost every college in the nation will accept either test. The SAT even changed massively during the 2010s to be more like the ACT
 
Horses for Courses - according to my math geek oldest son, SAT math is harder than ACT math. But ACT has more questions in a shorter time period, so it's more of a speed/accuracy exercise than a true measure of math knowledge.

Try a couple of mock ACT math sections and see how you do.
 
8th Wing Refugee said:
Horses for Courses - according to my math geek oldest son, SAT math is harder than ACT math. But ACT has more questions in a shorter time period, so it's more of a speed/accuracy exercise than a true measure of math knowledge.

Try a couple of mock ACT math sections and see how you do.
Click to expand...
Yea I remember it being a big time crunch for the Math section. However the Science section instead of a second Math section could provide a boost in the overall score of the test for OP
 
Ivy22 said:
Try the ACT. It’s only 1 math section compared to the SAT’s 2 math sections. And it has a Science section too (reading/interpreting graphs and data, designing experiments, etc)
Click to expand...
I can stack up ACT and SAT in December, thank you for the advice!
 
@ac_1 ,

I am reading a lot here about gaming the standardized testing system and curating the presentation of yourself to WP and I assume to your MOC. Their importance is not to be minimized and can be worked on, but your more immediate task is:
ac_1 said:
Solution: I get a high A second quarter and pray to god they see that I am studying harder and working harder.
Click to expand...
The smartest thing I ever heard regarding Math learning was from my DSs' Precalc teacher at the parents' meeting before school even started:

The best way to get good at Math is by doing Math.

Like with golf or ballet dancing, he didn't believe that kids are hardwired to be good (like DSs) at Math or bad (like Dad) at math.

I can't give you specific advice about the best way to study, but you might try the Khan Academy or Pre-Calculus for Dummies or phone apps that methodically walk you through the building blocks of learning Calculus.

Whatever your eventual path SA or ROTC, military of civilian, honing your math skills will ultimately benefit you.

Wish you the best of luck!
 
8th Wing Refugee said:
Horses for Courses - according to my math geek oldest son, SAT math is harder than ACT math. But ACT has more questions in a shorter time period, so it's more of a speed/accuracy exercise than a true measure of math knowledge.

Try a couple of mock ACT math sections and see how you do.
Click to expand...

Ivy22 said:
Yea I remember it being a big time crunch for the Math section. However the Science section instead of a second Math section could provide a boost in the overall score of the test for OP
Click to expand...
This was true with the paper SAT, but has changed a lot with the digital SAT. The new format gives more time per question and is shorter overall. With that said, any student who is struggling with the SAT should at least try the ACT, especially if English/reading is their jam.

OP, I would encourage you to figure out why you are struggling with precalculus. How did you do in Algebra II? All degrees at USMA are Bachelors of Science. It is a difficult program to manage if high school math is hard. It sounds like you are doing a good job seeking out help. The good news is that there is also a lot of help available for you at USMA. However, the admissions board needs to see that you will be able to succeed in the required math and science classes.
 
Do quarterly grades go on your transcript? Perhaps not.
Just keep doing your best and continue to apply. If you do not get into USMA this year, you migth be well set up for USMAPS.

Don't like Math or just bad at Math? Know that you will struggle at USMA. Do not be discouraged but understand that this will be a slog.
 
ac_1 said:
Unfortunately my highest official score is 570. I have breached into the 600-610 range on practice tests and Im nailing the first math module, but falling apart on the harder math in the second module.

I have my final test scheduled for December, and I was going to take November, but my first congressional nomination interview is the same day, same time, so I cancelled the SAT.

I am capable of a better score, and I'm not going to stop studying until I get that score in December.
Click to expand...
Keep doing what you are in control of. You don't have to get a high SAT score to be offered a USMAPS spot.

This is a resource I just learned about. You can use it to pull many SAT questions and filter by Domain (subject) and difficulty level. Take a look at your score report and see where you need to improve. If you need to improve across the board, I'd suggest starting with Algebra and Geometry, based on the idea that errors in those two areas often contribute to wrong answers on more advanced topics.

If the link doesn't work, search for SAT Suite Question Bank

SAT Suite Question Bank
 
ac_1 said:
Unfortunately my highest official score is 570. I have breached into the 600-610 range on practice tests and Im nailing the first math module, but falling apart on the harder math in the second module.
Click to expand...
Certainly keep plugging away. But also keep in mind that if you don't make it this year, there are alternate paths to West Point. People have mentioned USMAPS, which is great if it's offered to you. Another path is one of the service academy prep programs. My son did the one at Marion Military Institute, and he's now at West Point. Marion's SAP requires at least a 580/580, so you're just about there, and you would very likely retake precalc there.
Best of luck.
 
Full Steam said:
Keep doing what you are in control of. You don't have to get a high SAT score to be offered a USMAPS spot.

This is a resource I just learned about. You can use it to pull many SAT questions and filter by Domain (subject) and difficulty level. Take a look at your score report and see where you need to improve. If you need to improve across the board, I'd suggest starting with Algebra and Geometry, based on the idea that errors in those two areas often contribute to wrong answers on more advanced topics.

If the link doesn't work, search for SAT Suite Question Bank

SAT Suite Question Bank
Click to expand...
I have been grinding away at that! I have been using all the resources I just need to find some more time to get this score up!
 
What to do when you are not doing well in a class.

First you must realize what you are doing isn't working.

  1. GO TO CLASS, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!
  2. Go to Teacher’s office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: “I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?”
  3. If you have problems with the homework, go to Teacher’s office hours. If they have any “help sessions” or “study sessions” or any thing extra, go to them.
  4. Form a study group with other kids in your class.
  5. Don’t do the minimum…for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or chemistry whatever. Watch online videos (e.g., Khan Academy) about the topic you are studying.
  6. If things still are not going well, get a tutor. Your National Honor Society will have some. Or ask a teacher for a referral.
  7. Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.
  8. For tests that you didn’t do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study…there may be a study skill center at your guidance office.
  9. How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? Is it enough?
  10. If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the guidance counselor and talk to them.
  11. At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The teacher may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.
  12. Make sure you understand how to use your online class system…Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the teacher wants).
  13. If you get an assignment…make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.
  14. If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the teacher’s office hours…not the day before the assignment is due.
  15. Take advantage of any “re-do” tests you may be able to take…your teacher wants you to learn the material. Future material depends on it so you need to have the foundation. By explaining what went wrong you really understand it. Take advantage of this.
 
bopper said:
What to do when you are not doing well in a class.

First you must realize what you are doing isn't working.

  1. GO TO CLASS, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!
  2. Go to Teacher’s office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: “I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?”
  3. If you have problems with the homework, go to Teacher’s office hours. If they have any “help sessions” or “study sessions” or any thing extra, go to them.
  4. Form a study group with other kids in your class.
  5. Don’t do the minimum…for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or chemistry whatever. Watch online videos (e.g., Khan Academy) about the topic you are studying.
  6. If things still are not going well, get a tutor. Your National Honor Society will have some. Or ask a teacher for a referral.
  7. Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.
  8. For tests that you didn’t do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study…there may be a study skill center at your guidance office.
  9. How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? Is it enough?
  10. If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the guidance counselor and talk to them.
  11. At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The teacher may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.
  12. Make sure you understand how to use your online class system…Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the teacher wants).
  13. If you get an assignment…make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.
  14. If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the teacher’s office hours…not the day before the assignment is due.
  15. Take advantage of any “re-do” tests you may be able to take…your teacher wants you to learn the material. Future material depends on it so you need to have the foundation. By explaining what went wrong you really understand it. Take advantage of this.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for taking the time to type this out for me! I will be coming back to this to use it for my class.
 
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