Well, let’s just say I got caught up in a mess. I was caught cheating for a chemistry final because someone took pictures of the final and spread it among the class. The school says it’s in my records now, and I’m wondering how this will affect my acceptance into UC/Cal State. I went from an A in chem to a C. My GPA for that semester was a 3.2 (weighted). I’ve been getting 3.6s GPA (weighted) my 2 high school years except for that semester (I’m a upcoming junior now). I’m a fairly smart kid, but I’ve been losing my confidence when I get compared to other smart students. I take honor classes and AP classes as well.
Universities don’t take cheating lightly but, it is hard to say how it will impact your admission. If your sole punishment is the C then, your GPA drop will be your punishment. Since UCs and CSUs focus on just academic courses in just four semesters (grades 10-11,) that 3.2 may make you uncompetitive for most of the UCs.
A more significant black mark on your transcript may keep you out of most 4 year universities. If so, you’ll have to go the CC route (which is still viable by the way) You are 16 years old and are expected to make mistakes, .You can learn and make changes or allow this to derail your life. Do your best and see what happens. Be honest on your applications, perhaps even mention it in your essays.
I hope it works out for you.
Good luck
First you need to calculate UC capped weighted gpa and also you can look at cumulative gpa.
You should think of how your can show your ‘reform’ from cheating through words actions and deeds going forward. It will help if you have a teacher or GC to confirm your scholarship and ethics in your remaining time. But only Berkeley will take a letter of recommendation. So you will have to address it in your application somewhere if it is on your record.