Expert: Susie Watts - 9/14/2008

Question
My son is a freshman at a very good engineering school.  He loves the size of the school and the area, however, most of his professors are very hard for him to understand, especially his calculus teacher.  He has ADHD and was tested by the Special Services team in our county.  I know he is late in doing this, but he is going to try to switch to a native English speaker's class by presenting his test results to the Disabilities Office.  
He has mentioned to me that this would be the reason he would want to transfer.  He said that his school is rated 2nd worst in the US for professors.  I wish he would have know this sooner.  I am worried that he will not do  well this year and will have a hard time if he still wants to transfer, what do you suggest?  Should he stay put, tough it out, and get tutored?
He had a combined SAT score of 1350 in verbal and math and 660 in writing.  His HS average was 88.
Thank you for your advice.
C

Answer
This is a tough question because it does exist in more schools than we might like to admit.  I think you need to give it some time.  I would suggest your son speak to the head of the math department and explain the situation and see what they can offer in the way of help.
If they know he is genuinely interested in succeeding and is having a problem, they should be able to offer assistance.  Tutoring is another possibility and is often offered through the math department also.  Sometimes freshmen also feel a little overwhelmed at first and this could be a part of the problem that will pass in time.