I got a 4.0 GPA but I also got an F on my transcript. How bad was that in terms of transfer?

Transfer Students
1

I am a student in a tech oriented university and I got an F in a CS course due to plagiarism. Fortunately our school counts GPA by students’ highest score, so I retook the course and earned by 4.0 back. Questions are…

  1. how bad was that if I wanted to transfer? Besides this 4.0 GPA, I also have some impressive activities.

  2. what should I explain in my essay? Should I just ignore it or be honest? I regret what I did very much right now, but I’m afraid being straightforward may affect the outcome. Moreover, I wanted to express more on some good sides of me.

  3. which are some possible college choices that I have? I am interested in UCs, as well as UMich. What are my chances? If these schools are too tough for students like me, which ones are my match?

  4. I am an international asian. Does this make things worse? To what extend?

  5. Have anyone of you experience similar situations? What was your story and what is your lesson?

2

If the F is on your transcript then you should address it. At the same time, I wouldn’t write your personal statement about it. If on the application there is a section for additional information, that is where I would put it. I would be honest about it and how you learned from your mistake. It is important to let adcoms know you would never do it again, and make sure you have strong LORs from your professors. Do not be defensive or give excuses. Good luck.

3

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/q-and-a/repeating/index.html#1 describes UC policy on repeated courses for applicants.

4

Thank you so much for your honest advices guys.

Also, i wanted to know if there are any chances that i could get admitted into some good ones, cuz if not, maybe it was better to stay in my home university.

5

thank you so much oldfort!

6

If you do not apply you would never know. You have nothing to lose. I think some adcoms maybe forgiving. They know students make mistakes. The question is if they learn from it. If you could get your dean or a professor to write about how you have been model student it would go a long way.