<p>I’m looking into apply for a MS in Computer Science, and I am taking a couple prereq classs. This past spring, I took Linear Algebra and got a B.</p>
<p>I have my BS already and I am taking these courses at a community college.</p>
<p>But it’s the summer classes that are giving me fits. I have 2 classes, Comp Sci 1 and Discrete maths. The summer classes are 8 weeks (in class for 18 hours per week), so the 8 credits I have now feel like full time undergrad course load. In addition, I am working about 20-25 hours a week, and I am having trouble keeping up with my courses. </p>
<p>I am clinging on to the Comp Sci 1, but the Discrete math is killing me. I think I’ll fail Discrete. To make it worse, I have one of those teachers to intentionally teaches at a very high level and makes it more difficult than need be, and I am 90% sure I’ll fail it. </p>
<p>So far the Comp Sci is not hard, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to it. But I am pretty certain I will fail discrete. That class needs insane studying, but I don’t have the time.</p>
<p>I talked to the grad school about these classes, and they said it’s not necessary, but they will look at me more favorably since it shows my dedication to getting admitted and succeeding. They have an intense course that prepares non-comp sci people for the program when enrolled.</p>
<p>Of course failing prerequisite classes will affect your chances. If they are prerequisites to getting into the program, then that implies that you must take and pass them in order to gain admission to the program. Occasionally programs will admit you on a conditional basis and allow you to make up deficiencies in your first year, if you are an outstanding candidate.</p>
<p>If you talked to the graduate school and they said the math class was not necessary, then it’s not a prerequisite class. If it’s just a class that you took to make you a more attractive candidate, then it will have less of an impact, but failing a math class is never going to look good for admission to a CS program.</p>
<p>they won’t even consider my situation? I’m already at my wit’s end. I don’t know what to do.</p>
<p>If I quit my job, I’ll fall behind on my undergrad loans and ruin my credit. If I keep it, I’ll do poorly in school, and not get admitted into grad school. I’m already working 80+ hours a week between class time, studying, work, and Misc stuff for the family.</p>
<p>The other option I have is to drop Discrete, but I won’t have the money to pay for another class. And also, I want to have access to my teacher after the course is over and to the files he puts up so I can study during my free time after the summer session is over. </p>
<p>I feel so hopeless. i definitely bit off more than I can chew, but not intentionally!
I will do my best, hopefully not get fired, and pray I will have good news for everyone after my classes are over in 3 weeks</p>
<p>1st of all, step back and prioritize: grad school is not the end-all-be-all. Biting off more than you can chew is tough and it is EXTREMELY hard in the moment. Take this and learn from it. But put priority on those things you know are important in your life.</p>
<p>Look at your situation logically: you’re taking classes to make yourself more attractive to schools. The schools that you have contacted have told you Discrete is not necessary. You are not doing well in Discrete and it’s making your quality-of-life suffer. Not doing well in Discrete will not help your application package. My suggestion would be to discuss with the professor about salvaging the grade and, if that cannot be helped, drop Discrete. Dedication is one thing but if you aren’t doing well in the class, it isn’t going to help you. </p>
<p>If you REALLY feel you need it to apply, take an extra year and take the class again, without any other classes, the next year. </p>
<p>Getting back to your underlying issue: you are going to have to do better with time management. Honestly, time management is one of the MOST important skills developed in grad school but you need to start now. The demands on your time will be just as common in grad school as they are now. Cultivate those now and figure out how you can work around the different things in your life.</p>
<p>For a math class, if you need a tutor, use tutorcircle. Their prices change sometimes, right now its $200 for 20 hours. I’ve used them before and their tutors are top notch and available almost all hours of the day. Sometimes its easier having a tutor to work through a problem with you to understand the nuances rather then racking your brain for 4 hours not fully understanding what you are doing! </p>
<p>I’ve tutored myself and used tutors to help in courses. A tutor can make a huge difference!</p>
<p>Also, you could ask the teacher to defer your grade to allow you to catch up when you have more time! You need to be proactive, explain your situation to the professor, see if they have room to work with you!!! Do NOT just fail it and give up- FIGHT!</p>
<p>I do not think this is the case at all. Discrete Math (or Finite Math) is many folks first introduction to non-algorithm based mathematics; ie theres no formula (generally) for you to plug something into and solve. It is all about proving things. For many math courses it is the transitionary course between lower division and upper division work.</p>
<p>If you are struggling, you should be utilizing your CC’s math lab, or online resources (mathhelpforum is a good one).</p>
<p>I didn’t say that they wouldn’t consider your situation, but to be honest there’s not much that’s unique about your situation. There are many people who work and take part-time classes and don’t fail them. Failing a math class is not going to look good, and using “I was so busy” as an explanation is only going to make you look worse - since, as someone already pointed out, time management is the most important skill for graduate school success.</p>
<p>Nobody said to quit your job. But if you are failing the discrete math class, it is better to drop it and retake it at a later date when you do have the money. It makes no sense to continue to take it and fail just so you can have access to your teacher and his files. Talk to the professor about possibly getting copies of the files before you drop so you can prepare to retake it at a later date, but even if you can’t do that, there are literally thousands upon thousands of web pages on line with math tutorials.</p>