Should I withdraw from Intro to Real Analysis or take a C?

**StudentMonkey** · 10-22-2010, 10:50 PM

I was overly ambitious this semester and took on too many course (4 math courses and 3 econ. courses). I am getting an A in all of my other courses except Intro to Real Analysis which I am doing horribly. I bombed a midterm which brought my overall grade down from an A- to a C. The only way to make up for it is if I get an A on the cumulative final which is way too much pressure and far too risky.

What do you guys think I should do? The withdraw deadline at my school is in two weeks so I must decide pretty soon. Will a W in a core class (I am a junior math & econ. major) put me out of the running for the top PhD programs?

Unless I get a high A on the final exam, I think I am pretty much stuck with a C in the course if I decide to stay. If I do withdraw, I plan on retaking the course and getting an A next semester. Should I take the plunge or stick with a C?

**Team3** · 10-22-2010, 11:19 PM

That's an important class...a C in the course looks worse than not taking it at most programs. Even a B at the most competitive programs can be a negative signal. Since you're a junior, I'd take it next semester or deal with the stress and get an A this time around.

**Harry2010** · 10-22-2010, 11:46 PM

agree. You can take it next semester or in the fall of your senior year. C is worse than not taking it.

**econornot** · 10-23-2010, 12:55 AM

I beg to differ slightly. A "W" for real analysis is not a good signal as well and you will have to explain it too. The issue is whether you will be able to take higher level math courses in future and do well for them. If you can, then having A's in real analysis II and other stuff will be good enough justification for a poor grade in intro to real analysis, plus the fact that you do not have waste time retaking this module at the expense of not taking another higher level module. (The problem is of course, that you might find having a poor foundation at intro courses to come back to haunt in higher courses.) In addition, it is still possible to get an A by getting a high A in exam (like you mentioned), and I shall further infer that it's not too difficult to get at least a B then. Nobody will pay too much attention to your B grade in intro to real analysis if you have A's for real analysis 2 3 4 5 6....

Don't get too troubled by it mate, just work hard for it!

**ASUleadtrumpet** · 10-23-2010, 06:44 AM

I too may be faced with this decision come Monday or Wednesday of next week.

Took test two in my "advanced calc" course today. I'm not feeling very good about it. If I make a total turn around, and did well on this test, I can still get an A. If not, I can still get a B.

I don't know, I'm not feeling good about this. I gave this last test my all, went in to ask the professor questions every day, etc. If I don't get a good grade on this test, I'm pretty hopeless in real analysis.

**StudentMonkey** · 10-25-2010, 07:58 PM

Thanks everyone for your input! I've decided to drop the course in order to secure my grades for my other courses. It isn't a matter of the subject being difficult, rather, it is a major time constraint issue as I am taking too many courses. I am assured that I can do well in the course and any other advance math courses given that I have adequate time to study. I will be retaking this course and potentially real analysis 2 in order to make it up for this bad mark on my records.