Help with info on College Algebra

Okay, so I'm really looking into using clep, dantes, etc., and the BA in 4 weeks idea, but I have one, and only one real stumbling block: college algebra.

In obtaining my Associates in Nursing, I could take College Algebra or I could take Applied Mathematics for Health Majors. I started in a remedial college algebra class, couldn't get it. Then I decided to jump right into the real class, and sunk like a rock. In both attempts I dropped out before the class impacted my grades. Both times I had great tutors, did okay on the homework, struggled with it, but did okay. But when I sat for the tests, it all flew right out of my head and I couldn't figure out what to do with the test problems. I really really couldn't get it and I really really spent a great deal of time on it. Finally, I just gave up and took the other math, which I struggled with but ended up with an A. The other class had algebra, but no graphing calculations, etc. It was applicable math that could be used.

So what do I do about the math component for a BA or BS. I swear I have discalcula, I just can't do it and I really did try. I even worked with my son, who was in high school at the time and taking some of the same math. I just couldn't do it without failing miserably.

It would seem to follow that I would have been a poor student in other areas, but I wasn't. Out of 80 total hours, I only had 3 B's, everything else was straight A's. graduated with honors, a 3.87 GPA.

What can I do about this? Don't all colleges require the college algebra? Is there anything else I can do. Doesn't seem right that graphing math problems should keep me from getting a degree in business. Again, I greatly appreciate your help. And please, math whizzes, don't say it's not a problem. I tried over 3 semester periods to do this, hired tutors, etc. Thank you, you all have been so much help so far.

 

Greetings.

You would seem to have two choices, which I shall take the liberty of enumerating for you:

Choice one: You can view the college algebra requirement as a "stumbling block"; bemoan the fates that made you mentally incapable of learning "college algebra" (even though it is really mostly high school algebra); and you can simply continue to whine, rather than progress in your profession.

Choice two: You can get someone to violently "bitch slap" you, again and again, until you stop making excuses for your failures; you can purchase the book "Algebra: The Easy Way" (a uniquely friendly, cute, rigorous, but not particularly "easy" book); do every darn chapter without exception (questions included!), consulting www.smarthinking.com, or a local math wiz, if/when you encounter difficulties you can't resolve at your local library; and then retake your "college" algebra class, this time getting an A.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to write again!


Cordially,
Richard Kanarek
Who, upon doing poorly on a calculus test, promptly signed up for an even more difficult calculus course, because that's just the sort of hua-hua manly man he is. <g>

 

Open book Exams

Hello, I would do a search for classes with open book final. I came up with Colorado CC, Univ of Southern Colorado,and Jones International. Hopefully someone can add more. Good luck with the search. Hille

 

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but most undergraduate Business degree programs require not only Algebra, but Statistics as well, and many also require Calculus and Advanced Statistics. The math requirements of a Health Services or Health Sciences degree program, however, are typically less. As such, I would closely examine the curriculums of any program you are considering in order to ensure that you are comfortable with the requirements.

For example, the B.S. in Healthcare Administration offered by Bellevue University (if you can live with that name) requires only 3 credits in math that can be fulfilled by any college-level mathematics course. They also have a generous transfer policy and allow (in addition to the courses offered by the university) numerous alternative means of earning credit. However, a close look at the curriculum reveals that a course entitled Implementing the Language of Applied Statistics is one of the requirements for the major, and the program also requires that you be “currently employed at least 30 hours per week in a work setting where the academic content of the major can be applied.”

 

All colleges do not require algebra!

First, what you have may be enough. I can think of a couple of colleges that it will probably be enough. If not...

Try the CLEP: College Mathematics. It is much easier than algebra. The College Mathematics CLEP will suffice for many BA/BS math requirements - it did mine. In addition, it can only be taken as pass/fail (no letter grade), so it will not hurt your GPA if you just scrape by.

I have always struggled with algebra despite my parents best efforts (they have math degrees). I was able to pass the College Mathematics CLEP by a safe margin with only about a week of study (I used the book Cracking the CLEP (Princeton Review Series)).

I doubt your weak "college algebra" has held you back in your profession. I also doubt that it will hold you back in the future. If you don't want to take it and you don't need to take it, then why take it? The time spent learning a subject that you don't want to learn and don't need to learn is wasted time and money.

 

Thank you Mr. Kanerak for your kind, thoughful and appropriately professional response to my question. It will certainly be a joy to negotiate through this site in my pursuit of information with such helpful, instructive insights from gentle folks like you, who are so valiantly attempting to assist those of us so much further down the educational food chain. I will certainly ask my husband tonight if he would like to beat some sense into me about this matter as you suggest. Somehow I think he will find this suggestion quite absurd on it's face. I will, however, tell him it has been suggested by someone much more educated than myself, therefore, a suggestion of possible merit.

To the others who have been and continue to be helpful, again, thank you.

 

Pay no attention to the false dichotomy offered by Richard. I think we all offend each other at some point here (except Hillie of course), but it is hardly ever malicious. But I did enjoy your reply. My favorite part: "I will certainly ask my husband tonight if he would like to beat some sense into me..."

Gotta love a woman with wit.

Have any schools/programs caught your attention yet? I'm just thinking you may be worried about nothing - if they accept what you already have. If the general education requirement says something like "Quantitative Reasoning" then you should be fine.

Another option may be a statistics course/exam. This will often meet the same needs as algebra, but it depends. I don't suggest any advanced statistics (algebra on crack), but something like the TECEP exam in statistics should not be too bad. A TECEP exam is similar to a CLEP, but more expensive. Click here for more information.

 

To help me get thru Algebra, I used the following website.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series66.html

All you have to do is register on the site and you can watch the video on demand. You do not have to buy anything.

They also have other topics. This website is used in my local area in the community college and university for many of the TV courses and Web courses.

Hope this helps.