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I need a mathy person

What's your major?? The reason I ask is that most fields require some form of advanced math and this is pretty basic stuff. It's literally 7th grade math. If you can't figure this out on your own, then somewhere along the line you missed a pretty big piece of your education. Given what you've stated in this thread about your grades (Dam's List, President's List), I'm honestly a little shocked that you can't figure this out. You sound smart enough or at least well educated, but how did you miss the application part? I've got a High School education and I could figure this out in a couple of minutes at most, so how is it that you can't?? Seriously, I'd be more concerned about not being able to figure this out with your education than about graduating with honors (which to be perfectly frank, if you can't do this simple math, then how in the world could you ever graduate with honors?).

Well, I wasn't going to go there, but that thought crossed my mind.

The so-called advanced math is really not all that advanced; more often than not, it's statistics (theory and practice) that one uses heavily at the graduate level, though depending on the assignment/task, one may need calculus (standard and/or as applied to statistics). The OP-er is interested in sociology, so stats mastery (basic) is going to be essential. Whether she'll need more than that is hard to say.

These days, one doesn't much need to be adept at the computational aspects of math/statistics, but one does need to be strong on the theory, that is, understanding what functions/techniques to apply and what the results of those functions mean, don't mean, imply, don't imply, etc. Unlike in my day, there're software programs, most notably Excel and add-ons to it, that will do the computational math; moreover, nobody really cares these days about one's computational acuity. That said, the tools that'll do the computations are useless if one doesn't know what one is doing (the theory) when one submits data to them or doesn't adequately enough comprehend the theory so as to accurately interpret the output.

On the upside, there's always someone around who'll help one understand the math provided one knows what one is trying to do with the math. Professors aren't keen on seeing grad students receive poor grades in a non-math discipline because they are not so good at math. That's not quite as true in econ and psych, but in sociology, it's more so, except in the sociology equivalent course to what us b-school types call "quantitative methods" (applied statistical and other math theories).

Note to OP-er:

If you think you might get a graduate degree of any sort, take college statistics before grad school if you aren't strong in math, and especially math theory. You can fairly well assess your strength with math theory and applications of it by thinking back to how you felt about doing proofs and "word problems." Even if you just take it pass/fail or as an audited class, take it and go to class. That approach will allow you to focus more on the theory when you take it again as a grad student.

Also, FWIW, the "trick" to being good at math theory is, strangely, being very good at reading comprehension. Math texts are all written with strict adherence to the conventions of standard grammar. Accordingly, every word, every verb tense and mood, every punctuation mark, the denotation and connotation of every word, etc. contributes to the meaning the author(s) are communicating. For as much as folks talk about succinct writing, the fact of the matter is that when presented with succinct writing, most folks don't comprehend it. Math text authors generally write as succinctly as possible, but that means too that their word choices and sentence structures are what I call "power packed." (Example: Discussion of a very simple concept, limits, when discussed succinctly, completely and precisely is something poor readers don't get it.) Why is that? I think it's because math is a language.


 
What's your major?? The reason I ask is that most fields require some form of advanced math and this is pretty basic stuff. It's literally 7th grade math. If you can't figure this out on your own, then somewhere along the line you missed a pretty big piece of your education. Given what you've stated in this thread about your grades (Dam's List, President's List), I'm honestly a little shocked that you can't figure this out. You sound smart enough or at least well educated, but how did you miss the application part? I've got a High School education and I could figure this out in a couple of minutes at most, so how is it that you can't?? Seriously, I'd be more concerned about not being able to figure this out with your education than about graduating with honors (which to be perfectly frank, if you can't do this simple math, then how in the world could you ever graduate with honors?).

I was a college instructor for a few years, teaching intro and intermediate accounting. What I learned early on is there's a pretty fascinating variation in how our brains are wired. I thought intro to accounting was about the easiest class I took in college, but I had lots of students who were smart, good grades, showed up to class, etc. and just never got it. Stuff I thought was completely obvious just didn't sink in. Other students found it easy, with less effort. On the other hand, I took an english class with a roommate and he got an A writing papers the night before, and I barely got a B- with 5 times the work.

Same thing dealing with financial planning stuff. I've had clients making mid six figures who couldn't understand discounted cash flows, inflation, etc. They were obviously smart in their field, but woefully deficient in what I did, which is a good thing, actually - they needed my services. I couldn't sell water to a thirsty person, or create a website, etc. Different skill sets, different jobs.
 
If you are going to be a dick, find your way out of here. I am asking for help. Not insults.

I don't know if he was intending to be aspersive, but I understand how his remarks read with a castigatorily derisive tone. The post struck me as cautionary constructive input/criticism/observation. The constructive point he's making is well worth considering, for it's important to know and acknowledge one's weaknesses as well as one's strengths, and then take action to attenuate the weaknesses. Your strength is sociology and learning, but you do need to apply that strength to boost your math skill so that if not necessarily a strength, it's at least not a weak spot. Your GPA calculation question strongly suggests math is among your current weak spots because the math to calculate it is basic manipulation of the equation of a line (y = mx). If a graduate degree is to be a real pursuit for you, you're going to want to boost your math skills; that's the substance of the other member's remarks and s/he's not mistaken to infer that your math skills need some work.

Could the member have sussed the tone of this thread and the tone of his remarks are incongruous? Yes, he could have. In taking his comments as somewhat insulting, it's not at all hard to see why you did. He chose to use the personal pronoun "you" rather than the impersonal pronoun "one," and that did make his remarks personal rather than abstract.
 
I don't know if he was intending to be aspersive, but I understand how his remarks read with a castigatorily derisive tone. The post struck me as cautionary constructive input/criticism/observation. The constructive point he's making is well worth considering, for it's important to know and acknowledge one's weaknesses as well as one's strengths, and then take action to attenuate the weaknesses. Your strength is sociology and learning, but you do need to apply that strength to boost your math skill so that if not necessarily a strength, it's at least not a weak spot. Your GPA calculation question strongly suggests math is among your current weak spots because the math to calculate it is basic manipulation of the equation of a line (y = mx). If a graduate degree is to be a real pursuit for you, you're going to want to boost your math skills; that's the substance of the other member's remarks and s/he's not mistaken to infer that your math skills need some work.

Could the member have sussed the tone of this thread and the tone of his remarks are incongruous? Yes, he could have. In taking his comments as somewhat insulting, it's not at all hard to see why you did. He chose to use the personal pronoun "you" rather than the impersonal pronoun "one," and that did make his remarks personal rather than abstract.

Yes. When I said I needed a "mathy" person, that should have implied that I am not "mathy." :lol: I enjoy it, and I do well in it for the most part, but I definitely lose what I don't use. I haven't taken an algebra class, for instance, in 4 years (beginning of undergrad). My last math class was 2 years ago, and was probability and statistics.

Math has never been my strong suit, and never will be. The reason I asked in here is because I know that there are people here who are very strong in math, who could calculate this much easier, and much faster than me.

It's like I tell my husband a thousand times a day (before I just get mad and use my avatar on him :lol:) - it's not what you say, it's how you say it. He didn't have to be a dick about it. He chose to. I don't normally open up to much that is personal on here, for just such reasons. You'll always have somebody use it against you.

But you've been a great help, and I do appreciate it.
 
If you are going to be a dick, find your way out of here. I am asking for help. Not insults.

That wasn't insults, that was honesty. ANY degree requires a decent math background and this is simple math. You really should be able to figure this out with ease with the education you have. All I was trying to do was to get you to look at the education you have see where in that process you missed acquiring such a fundamental skill. When I read that you were on both the Dean's List and Presidents List, I wondered just how someone with those kind of grades got to a point where they can't do the kind of math that is taught in Jr. High. I'm not trying to be insulting, but if you have the kind of education you have and can't figure out how to calculate a simple average, there's a problem.
 
What I am looking for is - I have a certain GPA. I want to be at a somewhat higher GPA. I don't think I will make it there, but I was wondering if it would be a possibility.

Take some classes like underwater basket weaving or art appreciation or something. Ask around. There are always some classes that are easy As and GPA boosters.
 
That wasn't insults, that was honesty. ANY degree requires a decent math background and this is simple math. You really should be able to figure this out with ease with the education you have. All I was trying to do was to get you to look at the education you have see where in that process you missed acquiring such a fundamental skill. When I read that you were on both the Dean's List and Presidents List, I wondered just how someone with those kind of grades got to a point where they can't do the kind of math that is taught in Jr. High. I'm not trying to be insulting, but if you have the kind of education you have and can't figure out how to calculate a simple average, there's a problem.

That is not a simple average.

A simple average would be 3+4+5=12. 12 / 3 = 4 (average)

This deals with equations that we were not taught, or Excel skills, which are not required in my field.
 
WTF? Why would I try to get something that I haven't earned? That'd be like bragging about beating a video game, which you actually cheated to get to win.

I'd rather do this based on merit.

But thanks for your input?

I was kidding.
 
I was a college instructor for a few years, teaching intro and intermediate accounting. What I learned early on is there's a pretty fascinating variation in how our brains are wired. I thought intro to accounting was about the easiest class I took in college, but I had lots of students who were smart, good grades, showed up to class, etc. and just never got it. Stuff I thought was completely obvious just didn't sink in. Other students found it easy, with less effort. On the other hand, I took an english class with a roommate and he got an A writing papers the night before, and I barely got a B- with 5 times the work.

Same thing dealing with financial planning stuff. I've had clients making mid six figures who couldn't understand discounted cash flows, inflation, etc. They were obviously smart in their field, but woefully deficient in what I did, which is a good thing, actually - they needed my services. I couldn't sell water to a thirsty person, or create a website, etc. Different skill sets, different jobs.

I always wanted to be this math whiz. Just wasn't in the cards. :lol: You either have it, you get it eventually, or you don't get it at all. I'm in the "get it eventually" camp.
 
Well, I wasn't going to go there, but that thought crossed my mind.

The so-called advanced math is really not all that advanced; more often than not, it's statistics (theory and practice) that one uses heavily at the graduate level, though depending on the assignment/task, one may need calculus (standard and/or as applied to statistics). The OP-er is interested in sociology, so stats mastery (basic) is going to be essential. Whether she'll need more than that is hard to say.

These days, one doesn't much need to be adept at the computational aspects of math/statistics, but one does need to be strong on the theory, that is, understanding what functions/techniques to apply and what the results of those functions mean, don't mean, imply, don't imply, etc. Unlike in my day, there're software programs, most notably Excel and add-ons to it, that will do the computational math; moreover, nobody really cares these days about one's computational acuity. That said, the tools that'll do the computations are useless if one doesn't know what one is doing (the theory) when one submits data to them or doesn't adequately enough comprehend the theory so as to accurately interpret the output.

On the upside, there's always someone around who'll help one understand the math provided one knows what one is trying to do with the math. Professors aren't keen on seeing grad students receive poor grades in a non-math discipline because they are not so good at math. That's not quite as true in econ and psych, but in sociology, it's more so, except in the sociology equivalent course to what us b-school types call "quantitative methods" (applied statistical and other math theories).

Note to OP-er:

If you think you might get a graduate degree of any sort, take college statistics before grad school if you aren't strong in math, and especially math theory. You can fairly well assess your strength with math theory and applications of it by thinking back to how you felt about doing proofs and "word problems." Even if you just take it pass/fail or as an audited class, take it and go to class. That approach will allow you to focus more on the theory when you take it again as a grad student.

Also, FWIW, the "trick" to being good at math theory is, strangely, being very good at reading comprehension. Math texts are all written with strict adherence to the conventions of standard grammar. Accordingly, every word, every verb tense and mood, every punctuation mark, the denotation and connotation of every word, etc. contributes to the meaning the author(s) are communicating. For as much as folks talk about succinct writing, the fact of the matter is that when presented with succinct writing, most folks don't comprehend it. Math text authors generally write as succinctly as possible, but that means too that their word choices and sentence structures are what I call "power packed." (Example: Discussion of a very simple concept, limits, when discussed succinctly, completely and precisely is something poor readers don't get it.) Why is that? I think it's because math is a language.



Interesting.

And I took statistics and probability 2 years ago. Made an A.

Thanks!
 
Thanks, luv. I'm not overloaded, though. I took 5 classes this term, and 5 set up for summer, and then I'm done. I was just wondering if I can get from a 3.17 to a 3.75 between 5 classes this term (with 4.0 in each class) and 5 classes next term (with my fingers crossed LOL).

I don't think I can. Changing your GPA is like moving a glacier. It.... just.... never.... happens.... fast. I don't think I'll have time to do this with 10 classes (30 credit hours).



As a former college student who did well, let me give you some advice. Serious advice. Honest advice. From a 3.5 GPA grad.

One day at a time, one class at a time. Quality over quantity. If you graduate super magna gum laude, great. If you don't, then don't fret.

Excessive classes will kill you. Trying to do everything at once will bury you. You have to have time for yourself and your family. You also need time for writing papers, going to the library for research, writing drafts and STUDYING for finals. 30 hours for five classes are a lot.

Lots of classes equals stress and living college 24/7. You need time for you, watching a movie and doing the simple things.

Not everyone is perfect , and employers like a college grad with at least a 3.0 GPA. Don't let it go below 2.5 . If you are well into adulthood , go to college and make a 2.5 and worked full time, your future employer will not really care about your GPA as long asnit is not terrible ; but how well you do in the oral interview, such as your dress, personality and mannerisms.

At three hours a class, I would rather take three ....maybe four classes a semester and do well, than five and do mediocre. Plus there is collegiate hangups and goofs that occur, where you need to space yourself out to DO WELL IN each class. Class research and projects. Making models of cells.....like in science and Anatomy and Physiology class.

Space yourself. Do well with what you have, rather than challenge yourself excessively.



Major Lambda
 
As a former college student who did well, let me give you some advice. Serious advice. Honest advice. From a 3.5 GPA grad.

One day at a time, one class at a time. Quality over quantity. If you graduate super magna gum laude, great. If you don't, then don't fret.

Excessive classes will kill you. Trying to do everything at once will bury you. You have to have time for yourself and your family. You also need time for writing papers, going to the library for research, writing drafts and STUDYING for finals. 30 hours for five classes are a lot.

Lots of classes equals stress and living college 24/7. You need time for you, watching a movie and doing the simple things.

Not everyone is perfect , and employers like a college grad with at least a 3.0 GPA. Don't let it go below 2.5 . If you are well into adulthood , go to college and make a 2.5 and worked full time, your future employer will not really care about your GPA as long asnit is not terrible ; but how well you do in the oral interview, such as your dress, personality and mannerisms.

At three hours a class, I would rather take three ....maybe four classes a semester and do well, than five and do mediocre. Plus there is collegiate hangups and goofs that occur, where you need to space yourself out to DO WELL IN each class. Class research and projects. Making models of cells.....like in science and Anatomy and Physiology class.

Space yourself. Do well with what you have, rather than challenge yourself excessively.



Major Lambda

Thanks, Major. :)

I am almost finished, and the 5 translated into 15 credit hours. It's all electives, and lower level ones at that, so I thought, "Aw, heck, a bunch of thousand-level electives won't hurt me. I'll be fine." :lol: Yeah. This was the hardest term I've had. Two of my five professors gave us heavy workloads.

Mostly I did do what you said - went back and looked, and most of the time I was in school, I was part time, because I am a mom, and the wife of a disabled vet. But there were a few times I went full time, including this term and summer term. I will be finished after summer term, and walking in December.

Turned in my graduation app yesterday. Damn, that felt good.
 
I may go - I may not. I haven't decided yet. My brain is drained, and I'm taking a nice long break before I jump back in. :)

Take three classes this summer, it's a short semester

Take four this fall, and then three in the Spring. You will graduate next year. That's not a bad schedule.

If you hicop and do bad in a class, you will be angry that you overloaded yourself. A lighter load equates to more dedication to academics and a better final grade.

Good luck with your Social Work degree. It's a hard job, I know from working around hospitals. But also,...... it does not pay the greatest. Hospital, pro company, or even a non for profit group..

And from a vet.... thank you for wanting to help vets.




Major Lambda
 
Take three classes this summer, it's a short semester

Take four this fall, and then three in the Spring. You will graduate next year. That's not a bad schedule.

If you hicop and do bad in a class, you will be angry that you overloaded yourself. A lighter load equates to more dedication to academics and a better final grade.

Good luck with your Social Work degree. It's a hard job, I know from working around hospitals. But also,...... it does not pay the greatest. Hospital, pro company, or even a non for profit group..

And from a vet.... thank you for wanting to help vets.




Major Lambda

Thank you! And thanks for your advice. :)
 
Thank you! And thanks for your advice. :)


Anytime a mondo

Also, i tried to give one of your above post a thanks and the forum won't let me, says I have to wait three seconds before double posting. I refreshed the page and nothing again. I'll try later.



Major Lambda
 
Anytime a mondo

Also, i tried to give one of your above post a thanks and the forum won't let me, says I have to wait three seconds before double posting. I refreshed the page and nothing again. I'll try later.



Major Lambda

No problem. Thanks. :)
 
Institutional is 3.56. Overall is 3.17. I was just wondering if 10 classes (30 credit hours) with 4.0s in each class would be enough to get me to 3.75. I'm thinking it won't.

I don't know. Do you have a councilor; you should. A 3.56 is very good though, you should have no problems, but pullin 30 credits is going to take a while. A lot of schools these days monitor the number of classes you can take at once.
 
I don't know. Do you have a councilor; you should. A 3.56 is very good though, you should have no problems, but pullin 30 credits is going to take a while. A lot of schools these days monitor the number of classes you can take at once.

30 credit hours is 10 classes. I'm 5 down, 5 to go. :)

And thanks!
 
I enjoy it, and I do well in it for the most part, but I definitely lose what I don't use. I haven't taken an algebra class, for instance, in 4 years (beginning of undergrad). My last math class was 2 years ago, and was probability and statistics.

Math has never been my strong suit, and never will be. The reason I asked in here is because I know that there are people here who are very strong in math, who could calculate this much easier, and much faster than me.

It's like I tell my husband a thousand times a day (before I just get mad and use my avatar on him :lol:) - it's not what you say, it's how you say it. He didn't have to be a dick about it. He chose to. I don't normally open up to much that is personal on here, for just such reasons. You'll always have somebody use it against you.

But you've been a great help, and I do appreciate it.

Yes. When I said I needed a "mathy" person, that should have implied that I am not "mathy." :lol:
It did imply that. That you "owned" the fact that you aren't a "mathy" person is precisely why you don't deserve to be ridiculed for not being "mathy." That's why I composed posts that offered helpful input and that refrained from suffusing my remarks with a disparaging tone.
 
Interesting.

And I took statistics and probability 2 years ago. Made an A.

Thanks!
You'll probably be fine, then, if you opt to go to grad school. You'll have to take quantitative methods for sociology -- AFAIK, all social science graduate programs require that class because it's essential for research; each discipline teaches it using subject matter from their respective disciplines -- but it won't be new to you, so you'll be okay.
 
As a former college student who did well, let me give you some advice. Serious advice. Honest advice. From a 3.5 GPA grad.

One day at a time, one class at a time. Quality over quantity. If you graduate super magna gum laude, great. If you don't, then don't fret.

Excessive classes will kill you. Trying to do everything at once will bury you. You have to have time for yourself and your family. You also need time for writing papers, going to the library for research, writing drafts and STUDYING for finals. 30 hours for five classes are a lot.

Lots of classes equals stress and living college 24/7. You need time for you, watching a movie and doing the simple things.

Not everyone is perfect , and employers like a college grad with at least a 3.0 GPA. Don't let it go below 2.5 . If you are well into adulthood , go to college and make a 2.5 and worked full time, your future employer will not really care about your GPA as long asnit is not terrible ; but how well you do in the oral interview, such as your dress, personality and mannerisms.

At three hours a class, I would rather take three ....maybe four classes a semester and do well, than five and do mediocre. Plus there is collegiate hangups and goofs that occur, where you need to space yourself out to DO WELL IN each class. Class research and projects. Making models of cells.....like in science and Anatomy and Physiology class.

Space yourself. Do well with what you have, rather than challenge yourself excessively.



Major Lambda
Excellent advice. I'd add that the tacit theme in your remarks -- the importance of balance, particularly with regard to demands life places on one -- cannot be undervalued.

Just to offer another data point about employers, but not to imply that what I'm about to share applies to the OP-er's field, sociology....

In the career paths which which I'm familiar top tier management consulting, Big Four accounting and other careers that, once one is on the path, one has to screw up to not complete one's career earning $400K+/year, undergrads seeking entry level positions that can put them on the track to the EVP to C-level office suites need generally to be some sort of "laude" graduate. There are multiple reasons for that:
  • Primary reason: There's a lot of competition for those positions; thus firms can be highly selective about whom they hire.
  • Secondary reason: Quite often, but not always (Rex Till. is an exception, for example; CPAs are another) an MBA or other technical graduate degree is necessary, and to get admitted to the top graduate programs (and I don't mean "fancy" school; I mean top program...at the graduate level, the program's quality, not the school that offers it, is what matters, which is why, for example, U. Wisconsin is top-10 ranked for sociology, and I think for history, right along with the likes of Harvard, Princeton and Stanford), one's high GPA (3.75+) will help with that.
 
It did imply that. That you "owned" the fact that you aren't a "mathy" person is precisely why you don't deserve to be ridiculed for not being "mathy." That's why I composed posts that offered helpful input and that refrained from suffusing my remarks with a disparaging tone.

Yes, you did, and I greatly appreciate it, Xelor. :)
 
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