Does my senior year count?

roflsaurusrex · 10-06-2009, 09:44 PM

I am applying to state schools, like SDSU, CSU Long Beach, University of Colorado, etc.

I currently have all A's except for my grade in math which is a D. I am struggling a lot in math this year, but I want to stay in the class because I believe it will help me for college. I am in pre-calculus by the way. I have gotten Bs and B+s in math before this and I am really stressing about this class. I have taken over 3 years of math, so this year of math isnt in my A-G courses. I am not getting senioritis, the class and the teacher is brutally tough.

I know that privates ask for mid semester senior grades, but do public's do this?

happymomof1 · 10-07-2009, 07:39 AM

Senior year counts.

You need help with that math class. Go see that teacher and find out who can help you master the material. Perhaps he/she can work with you before or after school or at lunchtime. If not, he/she should be able to refer you to a competent tutor or put you in touch with a classmate who is doing better than you and can help you figure things out.

drusba · 10-07-2009, 09:14 AM

For those state schools you mention, grades in senior year are not used for admission (that is true of vast majority of public schools). They go by grades through junior year and do not require sending mid-semester grades, but they do use senior year grades to determine whether they should withdraw an admission once you submit your final high school transcript in June and a D at least raises the issue.

mikemac · 10-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Not sure about the Cal-State schools, but the UCs require you to maintain a B average senior year and some campuses don't allow any grade below a C. So a D would make you subject to having your admission revoked. You should call a counselor at some of the campuses you are considering to find out what they think.

As for the math class, there is a book called the "Pre-Calculus Problem Solver". I highly recommend that you get it. The book has thousands of problems with a worked solution. What you do is turn to the chapter that matches what you're studying in class, cover up the answer, and work the problem. Then check your steps and answer. Keep doing problems until you're getting them right and understand it. The problem a lot of kids have is that in math and science classes you can't just read thru the example in the book, follow the reasoning, and think you've got it. It's only after spending a few hours working problems that you really have internalized it. I think if you start spending 8-10 hours a week (thats 1 hour a nite, and 2 hours on Sat and Sun) working problems you'll find your understanding (and grade) will rise to the top. This is a big time committment, so you'll have to decide if its worth it to you. You should know, though, in a college class such as math spending 10 hours a week outside of class studying is pretty common.

mom2collegekids · 10-07-2009, 02:45 PM

Some schools will withdraw acceptances if the senior slacks off in the senior year...so don't let senioritis blow your chances..

SkyHigh · 10-07-2009, 03:18 PM

What if I'm a slow starter? Because I often start slow (first quarter) then fight my way back to straight A's. Plus, I have to study for SATs and do apps. Currently I have straight B's. In previous years I have no B's at all.

So everyone's saying colleges look at first quarter senior grade. I think that is a major disadvantage for slow starters like me.

roflsaurusrex · 10-12-2009, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the responses. I still have a 3.0GPA with the D in my math class. I will study more(and get that book) for that class and try to raise it to a C, maybe even a B.

My counselor suggested dropping it, but screw that! Even if I get a bad grade in it now, I will learn useful things for college math next year.

Knights09 · 10-12-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

My counselor suggested dropping it, but screw that! Even if I get a bad grade in it now, I will learn useful things for college math next year.

Getting a bad grade tends to mean you don't understand the material... And you can't learn college math if you get rescinded from your college. Get the grade up as soon as possible or drop it.

roflsaurusrex · 10-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Getting a bad grade tends to mean you don't understand the material... And you can't learn college math if you get rescinded from your college. Get the grade up as soon as possible or drop it.

Dropping the class would be beneficial to me in the long run?

I just feel like I am learning so much, but I have simple work errors that kill me. I will have to get another class if I drop the class to graduate, and it is hard to find a class that I can start in the middle of the year.