Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to bad grades. What to do?

Re:Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to ... by codingdave on Sunday July 10, 2022 @08:13AM (#32043985)

You should look at it from their perspective. You are a smart person who is capable of the work, yet still had bad grades. You don't need to show them you are smart and capable of doing math - it is not about that. It is about whether you can do those things in a structured school environment. Stop trying to prove you can do math and start trying to prove that you can work within their system.

I don't know the school system in Singapore, but in the US, we have community colleges that accept everyone. Most people in your situation take a few classes at a community college to prove that they can succeed in that environment, and then try again with the university. If there are similar option in Singapore, I'd go that route.

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Re:Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to ... by boonsuan on Sunday July 10, 2022 @09:56AM (#32044822)

Fair enough, I agree with your advice. Thank you. In Singapore however there isn't really an equivalent of community college; there are polytechnics which are essentially associate degrees, and there are junior colleges which are like high school I guess (and besides I won't be able to just enter a junior college even if I wanted to).

But yeah I really do need to think more of their perspective and try to make myself more appealing somehow.

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Re:Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to ... by DamonHD on Sunday July 10, 2022 @08:23AM (#32044052)

Agreed: if you want to get into uni then you have to show that you can do the things that a uni wants you to do.

Those aren't necessarily the most objectively sensible or intellectual things (I found uni painful at times in part becauase of that), but that's not the point.

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Re:Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to ... by airbreather on Sunday July 10, 2022 @07:24PM (#32050273)

Yes, some more than others, many degrees are just elaborate hazing rituals.

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Re:Ask HN: Self-studied math but can't enter college due to ... by pxhb on Sunday July 10, 2022 @11:26AM (#32045606)

> I don't know the school system in Singapore, but in the US, we have community colleges that accept everyone. Most people in your situation take a few classes at a community college to prove that they can succeed in that environment, and then try again with the university. If there are similar option in Singapore, I'd go that route.

I also am not familiar with the Singapore system, but that is my first thought as well. Also sometimes scoring high on a standardized test (if applicable in Singapore) can make up for some bad grades.

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