Hello, I am a current hs applicant for the c/o 2025. I have been taking Calculus 2 online through the local community college (hs does not offer anything higher than ap calc ab). I was not aware of the teaching style for this online class as a previous online class I took had class via zoom with attendance not mandatory. This class is very heavy on handouts and teaching through that. It is too late to drop, and I am thinking of withdrawing. Will this be a red flag? Should I stick it out? I do want to add my college gpa is a 4.0 and my hs gpa is a 3.87. I am unsure how I would finish in this class, but I do not want those numbers going down.
Withdrawn class in the eyes of admissions
- Thread starter Jjrrugg
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My ‘normal’ mom advice would be to stick it out, get extra help from instructors, peer study groups, etc. Find a way.
BUT....having watched my high schooler go through (actually this exact class) online classes last semester, and now college classes this semester (x 3 boys), I recognize that there is merit to a decision that “online doesn’t work” for some students/classes/instructors.
I have seen instructors who are simply unable (perhaps unwilling?) to teach material remotely. I have seen learners who struggle with online. And
I know my own (now) Mid was not as prepared in his AP Calc BC as he would have been (In fact, since it’s a building block class, he rejected an advancement of an additional level placement at usna).
So this year, the way things are, I would advise my own to really think hard about this and get some additional advice from trusted teachers and counselors. Generally the advice is to hunker down, dig your heels in and find a way or make one. My guy ultimately pulled an A with curves, etc (although he personally didn’t feel he actually learned the material well).
If you are only concerned with the GPA as your reasoning? I would shy away from that as the sole reason. GPA isn’t what will get you in or keep you out of a SA, as it’s a whole person look. Both of my boys were admitted with lower GPA’s. It’s your leadership, interviews, competition, how well you do as far as nominations, etc.
This admission cycle is the first one where virtual learning will be a “real” thing to consider. Imo, it will be something that admissions will take into consideration like never before. How that plays out? No one knows and it does no good to guess. But I wouldn’t make a decision based only upon GPA, and I would think hard about if I am doing EVERYTHING I CAN to succeed in the class.
BUT....having watched my high schooler go through (actually this exact class) online classes last semester, and now college classes this semester (x 3 boys), I recognize that there is merit to a decision that “online doesn’t work” for some students/classes/instructors.
I have seen instructors who are simply unable (perhaps unwilling?) to teach material remotely. I have seen learners who struggle with online. And
I know my own (now) Mid was not as prepared in his AP Calc BC as he would have been (In fact, since it’s a building block class, he rejected an advancement of an additional level placement at usna).
So this year, the way things are, I would advise my own to really think hard about this and get some additional advice from trusted teachers and counselors. Generally the advice is to hunker down, dig your heels in and find a way or make one. My guy ultimately pulled an A with curves, etc (although he personally didn’t feel he actually learned the material well).
If you are only concerned with the GPA as your reasoning? I would shy away from that as the sole reason. GPA isn’t what will get you in or keep you out of a SA, as it’s a whole person look. Both of my boys were admitted with lower GPA’s. It’s your leadership, interviews, competition, how well you do as far as nominations, etc.
This admission cycle is the first one where virtual learning will be a “real” thing to consider. Imo, it will be something that admissions will take into consideration like never before. How that plays out? No one knows and it does no good to guess. But I wouldn’t make a decision based only upon GPA, and I would think hard about if I am doing EVERYTHING I CAN to succeed in the class.
ekb1398
5-Year Member
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- Apr 3, 2016
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- 353
I would be very careful with this one. Calc 2 is something most cadets at the academy are expected to do, so withdrawing from it may not be in your best interest - regardless of the reason, it would raise questions. If you do, I would certainly try to include something with my application explaining why.
