<p>I always wondered this because for my first bio (my major) class at CC, I messed up and got a B. Near the end of the semester, i remember wondering whether a W was better than getting a B. Someone told me that a w was like getting an F or a D to admission officers so I decided to not drop it. However reading some of the posts here, there were people getting Ws and still getting in to to top tier UCs and I'm starting to regret it. I could have had at least a 3.9, maybe a 4.0 (I was taking 22 units which nearly killed me lol) because I would have had more time for the online class that I also got a b on. My GPA is 3.8 so it's not absolutely awful but I want an honest opinion: is a w better than a b (in one's major class)?</p>
<p>I think you’re fine. They won’t hold one B against you. But Ws are not viewed as a D or an F. They’re basically invisible to admissions, although they like a short explanation. </p>
<p>W is definitely better than a B if you’re applying for a super competitive major, because Ws seem to make little to no difference as far as admissions are concerned, whereas a B can put you on the edge of a GPA cutoff; but for most majors, it’s better just to take the B and move on – unless you want to go to grad school at a top-five university, I guess. Anyway, for bio a 3.8 GPA should suffice at UCLA and Berkeley. Just try to get more lab experiences and apply for summer internships and REUs.</p>
<p>At UCLA, for example, the average admitted GPA for bio in 2013 was 3.75, which means people probably got in with both lower and higher GPAs. For biochemistry and biophysics, the average admitted GPA was around 3.8. I imagine Berkeley is similar.</p>
<p>admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/adm<em>tr/Tr</em>Prof13_mjr.htm</p>
<p>I was sort of in the same predicament during Spring 2014. </p>
<p>I took a class at SMC just to be eligible for financial aid at my home institution, and instead of taking a hard fought B, I swallowed the W.</p>
<p>Why you may ask? A “B” would’ve annihilated my GPA by .5 points or something like that. I’d have to get 3 more A’s just to average out that one B. I didn’t bust my ass at CC for 3 years only to have my gpa derailed by an irrelevant, and in my honest opinion, dumb class.</p>
<p>If GPA is crucial towards getting into the school of your choice, you have to consider whether or not it is worth taking a B. I know that sounds like Im some kind of nut job that cries over a few missed points, but this is your future we’re talking about, not a latte that a starbucks employee screwed up.</p>
<p>Nevermind. I took a “P,” but that’s sort of the same thing. I could’ve taken a B, but I chose to take a non GPA factoring grade. </p>
<p>I thought you had to sign up for P/NP early in the game.</p>
<p>.05 points, not .5</p>
<p>A 3.8 would’ve been reduced to 3.75. That is a huge difference if you’re applying to any of the UC’s and to an impacted major. </p>
<p>@lindyk8 I think that was changed somewhat recently if it’s a state thing. Maybe the last 5 years? Before that, I know there were a few students at least in my CC that could get a P/NP mid semester. </p>
<p>I should have asked while I was taking that class…Even if I get all As this semester it’s not going to change .1 so that’s pretty disheartening.
Still, thanks for your input, guys!!</p>
<p>@jazzy4monkey don’t beat yourself up over it. During this horrible application process everyone gets worked up into a tizzy. I think it will be fine - and you seem to indicate you are currently 3.8. Any way to get it up this next year (even though I still think you’ll be OK). How are your ECs? Are you going to TAP? </p>
<p>My ECs aren’t spectacular. I’m currently in the AGS society and did a couple hours of paid tutoring. I guess I could also add the volunteering with the cello I did in HS if I can. I don’t think I can do it for my CC. </p>
<p>@jazzy4monkey Well playing an instrument is an EC, whether you volunteered with it or not, so be sure to add that. They like musical ppl. There’ve been studies of instrument playing and brain patterns. A lot of doctors had musical bkgrds. So that with tutoring and AGS is good…</p>
<p>@lindyk8
I was thinking about it but I haven’t touched the instrument for about two years. I also haven’t done any related events since. Do you think I can still put it down? </p>
<p>Yes, put in that you’ve played cello since age ____ and then volunteering with it during HS. Also if you were in HS band, add that. </p>