Hi so I took all honors and AP courses my junior year of high school, and have all throughout high school, and ended up getting a D in my Honors Precalculus course second semester. I know that looks extremely bad but does it completely lower my chances of getting into NYU or UCSB? Those are my #2 schools right now. At the time I was dealing with a lot of personal issues, including clinical depression and a severe panic disorder, which I’m definitely talking about in my essays. My weighted GPA is a 4.3 and unweighted a 3.5 and I got a 2090 on the SAT. I’m taking 5 AP classes next year too. I’m just really worried that this D is going to ruin my chances of getting in.
What’s your #1 school? Does your school report both GPA’s or both semesters? What was your final grade in pre-calc? Would you be open to applying to NYU ED? What major would you be pursuing?
I would most definitely submit a statement explaining why you received the grade you got and see whether you can retake it to annul it from your record. I’m a current student at UCSB and have known plenty of people who have gotten lack-luster grades at some point. Most of them had no tangible explanation beyond giving up. You appear to be an exceptional student, so I wouldn’t worry too much. I’d really try to retake the class, though (try online!). I came into UCSB with a 4.2W and 3.8UW and a 2150 equivalent to the SAT (I took the ACT), so I feel as though we’re at the same level. I’d say to not worry to much and try your hardest in the future. I know panic disorders can be rough– I had one as well and didn’t do too great my junior year due to constant panic attacks– so I commend you for pushing through! Best of luck!
@codemachine Oh I accidentally typed that wrong, NYU is my #1 and UCSB is my #2. My school reports both GPA and both semester grades. I got a C first semester and a D second semester. I am planning on applying ED1 and I would be majoring in economics or finance.
What was your final grade for pre-calc, if reported?
ED1 for Stern could be a stretch imho, but if you’re serious enough about it, you may just get in.
@codemachine A C first semester and a D second semester and I was planning on applying ED1 to CAS.
@InamoratiAnon yea i tried to retake it but they don’t offer a summer school course for it and you can’t make it up unless you take it as a regular class. And thank you for your input!
I agree with @InamoratiAnon regarding the statement. A very similar situation happened to a friend of mine who now attends a prestigious California college, and he felt it truly made a difference. Econ and finance are math-heavy majors, so they’d want to see high grades in advanced math classes.
Since you cannot retake the class until Senior year, you will have to report the D on your UC application and indicate that you are retaking the class. Your D will unfortunately be included into your UC GPA for UCSB and could have a negative impact on your chances for Econ at UCSB which is a very competitive major. Other this one blip on your academic record, as stated above if your GC could address your problems along with you explaining in one of your essay questions, it may help your chances.
Good Luck.
Be aware UC does not allow you to weight a D. And it will affect your UCGPA more heavily since only 10/11 grade count. I would recalculate your UCGPA and post that.