Pre-calculus for second year application

[Texark147]

The way my DS explained it, the toughest part of time management at USNA was the time sinks. (ex: Having to spend 4-5 hours drawing a bulletin board the night before a Calc test, having an inopportune brief the night two papers are due. etc ) The actual academics and ability to focus wasn't the problem. Just prioritizing what to study and what to give up for best overall effect. (ie hit the gym to work on maxing PRT or spend an extra couple hours trying to boost a grade or hit the pool to keep a b in PE or work on pro-know. )

I can't imagine keeping that schedule. These kids are amazing.

 

[Santie50322]

Just to add to this thread with my own question pertaining to this subject, at my college, I have to move in a line per se. Basically, it's like this, College Algebra >PreCalc >Calc. So, in order for me to take Calculus, I would have to take College Algebra, then PreCalc. I am not taking College Algebra this semester because all of the math classes were full, so I am currently not in a math class. But, next semester, my schedule will be Intro to Computing, English Comp I, US Government, Chemistry I w/ lab, and College Algebra. I tried to match it up close enough to a Plebe one, but the only thing I think is going to wreck me is College Algebra. Would that be a detriment? It wouldn't be until Semester 2 of next year (unless I take summer classes which I plan on doing) that I could eventually take Calculus. Would that be a detriment?

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Depends on your high school classes and grades as well. If you do well in the college classes, it will still help, but the level of math class would raise my eyebrows for sure.

 

[severn]

Hello all, my young adult is in college reapplying on the second attempt. Calculus is brutal at the moment and my youth may withdraw and transition to pre-calc. Everything else in the application is stellar. What are thoughts on how damaging this will be for the overall application.

... suggestion (s) only. Do not drop this Calculus even if it's a "D-." Your kiddo needs to have an honest conversation with the Calculus instructor/professor. How? Conversation flow/starter suggestion.
--------+---------+----------+----------+-------+
Student: Sir/Ma'am: I'm worried about my grades because I'm applying for USNA.
Instructor: okay, your grades are borderline "F." I suggest to work and study harder; hire a tutor from the academic center.
Student: I will stay. I'm not dropping. I's there any way to do extra credit to stave off a "F?"
Instructor: yes, redo all the missed problems in the tests and submit for extra credit.
---------+-----------+-----------+---------+----
Dropping a Calculus class doesn't impress Admissions. Even if the grades is "D-," Admissions will look at the applicant as courageous and tenacious.

 

[Kentucky9]

Well DS just informed me he not only got the first non A in his life, but he outdone himself by pulling 2 C’s in calc and Chem with lab. A’s in all of his classes but those 2. Guess admissions will determine if it’s the end of this road for him.

 

[nuensis]

Another perspective: Forget about the USNA application for a moment.

The goal is commissioning. Assuming you're attending college as a viable plan B (not just a stepping stone to the Academy), how will a poor grade in Calculus impact graduation, GPA and a future OCS application?

I would hesitate to take a miserable grade to the face. A poor grade in Calculus most immediately represents poor foundational understanding of mathematics -- a precalculus course exists specifically to correct this. Depending on the resources available at the college, it may not be the case the professor/TA/lecturer provides the same level (or any level) of personalized attention to an individual student.

If precalculus is necessary, take it. Will it affect the application? Sure. However, it is very possible to fail calculus the first time, and then also fail it the second time. Taking a class that is beyond your abilities and hoping you'll "figure it out" is a bad plan. Sometimes you don't figure it out, and you just fail. Spectacularly.