Daughter's dilemma

My daughter is 2nd in her senior class by a hair. She got her schedule yesterday and is stressing. She feels she is poor in math. This year she asked for Math Topics but got PreAP Calculus. Bottom line: she feels if she takes this class she won't remain in the 10% (one of her top school picks requires 8%). Her other top pick for college requires math her senior year. So my thoughts are: do we try to do Intro to Statstics online through Texas Tech? This would satisfy her math requirement at her target school and look impressive since her ACT wasnt so hot.
We would (me as well since I need it too) take it in the evenings at a b&m school except they require a prerequisite of developmental math and that maybe wouldn't look so hot on her application in Nov. (early registration).
Are we digging ourselves deeper by doing this? I suppose if the online class gets clearly too hard she could take a W but you only get 5 of those in your college life now.
My other thought was to take a dantes or clep. The target school wouldn't accept it as a core math credit but shed get 3 credits applied and they'd see she can do the work.
My hesitation there is that they'd like kids to take math all year so they are fresh and don't forget by their senior year.
Opinions, ideas?
To take the easier math class shed have to give up AP3 with her favorite instructor.

 

Maybe my question isnt clear. . . How hard is online intro to statistics?

 

I'm confused on why you want her to take a college course when she is struggling with a high school course and what that will do to help her to accomplish the goal of entry in to the school she wants.

 

Statistics is a pretty tough subject, especially if you are not a math kind of person. I think you would be digging yourselves deeper by doing what you suggest.

I would recommend that she take the pre calculus class and immediately begin meeting with a tutor. Don't wait until she gets behind. It would be expensive, but to go through the class from the beginning with someone to explain things would take her a long way.

Another thing she could do is utilize the Kahn Academy website video tutorials. This site is amazing, and has a good selection of pre calculus videos that should help tremendously.

 

Ok thanks.
I guess thought statistics would be easier than pre AP Pre cal since its less of a calculus kind of thing. Her school is a private school and I thought a jr. College might be ea
Gosh sometimes all this college business leaves me so spent.
She's in a private hs and so I thought a jr. college would be easier but that's not really an option now.
Well look into Kahn

 

I personally think Statistics is easier than Calculus. I took a Philosophy class covering Language and Logic. It was pretty cool, lots of venn diagrams, etc. That class made Statistics more manageable. Statistics uses more logic to convey concepts whereas Mathematics builds on fundamental concepts. I cannot make a blanket statement that Statistics would be as hard or harder than Pre-Calculus. I loved all of my undergrad and Graduate level Statistics classes and Research courses heavily using Statistics. I cannot same the same for Calculus. My Dos Centavos.

 

Umm....what happens if you get 5 "W's" ???

Rather she can get through Statistics with a good grade, and how fast, is related to too many factors for anyone to give you a solid answer. Sounds like her plate is pretty full already. Where I you I would only look at college options that will play to her strengths right now...you guys seem really wrapped up in the concept of "dream school" and I fear it would be pretty devastating to you guys if you went out of your way and wound up making a mis-step.

 

ALEKS and Khan would be cheap ways to test the waters before committing to an actal class. She could learn a lot and the ALEKS would provide a measure of mastery. ALEKS for Higher Education (they have other math courses too, like algebra/pre-calculus)

 

Sounds like she's feeling a lot of unnecessary stress and psyching her self out with statistics, which is not too difficult if one keeps up with the homework. The steps are pretty straightforward and the math within the steps is basic. She could buy a review guide from Barron's or Dummies before the class starts to become familiar and then not feel so much pressure at the start of the course. Holding her spot as second in her class is an honor but hanging on to it is not worth stressing over. If a student doesn't get into a top school he/she can always transfer there later. I met a young man the other day who had just finished his AA from a local community college and then transferred into a best-of-the-best university. An AP statistics class shouldn't feel like a major turning point for a kid. She should just follow the recommended plan, do her best and see where it takes her.

 

Solid advice!

 

I agree. The only way this dream school will happen anyway is if she gets a huge scholarship. She's won national awards with her art. But I made apps today for other schools which are probably more likely anyway.

You can only withdraw from 5 classes these days. Btw.

I will look into the khan

 

I must not understand the context. While multiple withdrawals will likely complicate the journey simply withdrawing from 5 classes doesn't bar you from going on to finish a degree. Perhaps true at specific schools...but hardly a fair blanket statement.

She sounds like a talented girl with a bright future btw!

 

Well it is six and it applies to our state public colleges.



Beginning with the 2007-2008 Academic Year, undergraduate students subject to Senate Bill 1231 will be permitted only six (6) non-punitive drops during their undergraduate studies. Non-punitive grades included in the maximum number of drops will be identified on the transcript with a grade of QI. Once a student has accumulated 6 (six) QI grades, the only grade that may be awarded for a dropped course is a grade of QF, regardless of the student’s academic standing in the class. Drops processed while withdrawing from the university will not be included in the maximum number of non-punitive drops.

 

Yes, those are pretty tough decisions and they are not made easier because you are worrying about your kid.

Stats could be easier than pre calculus, but it is still tough and maybe just a matter of opinion on whats tougher.

Look into Kahn. It helped me get through a pretty tough math class a few years ago.

 

Someone worried about their kid, that isn't allowed here is it?

 

But it has no teeth. Even if you go over the 6 they just penalize the next course you withdraw from. It doesn't prevent graduation or anything. All along the way there are loopholes and exceptions including two that could apply to your daughter:

"Some courses will not count against the six-drop limit. These include courses dropped at independent or private Texas institutions, courses dropped while the student is still enrolled in high school, developmental courses, non-funded courses or courses dropped at colleges in other states."http://www.registrar.txstate.edu/contentParagraph/03/text_files/file/sb%201231%20six%20drop%20rule.pdf

She is still in HS, and the course can just be taken out of state. Problem solved. Take a look at the Stats course offered by the University of Idaho Independent study. It's only about $300 and per the syllabus looks very manageable. Mathematics-Independent Study in Idaho-University of Idaho

This legislation is good to keep in mind....but will almost certainly have no bearing on her academic career to many if's and's or but's are deliberately built into the ruling. This isn't intended for conscientious students.

 

Update! She is Valadictorian, she gets the state college of her choice. Yay! Thanks everyone.

 

congrats!!!!!

 

Wow! Well done!

 

She was #2 at the start of this thread...other kid bomb statistics? Get too many "W's"???

I'm glad she did so well....you should both be deservedly proud!!!