D or incomplete - which is better?

<p>I just took a five unit math class over the summer, which I seem to be receiving a C in. Obviously, I am passing, but I feel like there were a lot of things I "missed." I can barely remember what we did two days ago and I need this class to move onto UC transferable math courses. </p>

<p>However, I am not confident that I am ready for the next level math classes, so I have decided to retake the course in the Fall. I've already talked to my professor about it and he says he's willing to give me an add code for the Fall semester plus a D for the course so that I can repeat it.</p>

<p>There is some debate about which would be better. This math class is not UC transferable, so it wouldn't affect my UC-related GPA but would UC's still see it on my transcript anyway? I was also told that receiving an incomplete just means I wouldn't necessarily be able to retake the class, only complete the work that I hadn't completed.</p>

<p>What do I do? Advice?</p>

<p>This is definitely a dicey situation! What course of action will benefit you the most depends on a lot of factors.</p>

<p>If you are confident that you can “pull” at least a B trying to complete the course on your own with, say, help of tutors, lots of office hour visits etc., then taking the incomplete would be the better course of action in my opinion. (Of course, this also assumes that you have enough material - exams etc. left to be able to make up the grade).</p>

<p>Otherwise, taking the D and repeating would be better (BTW, UCs will see EVERYTHING regardless - and you have to list it, transferable or not). While having the D on the transcript by itself might have a slight “psychological negative impact”, when UCs evaluate your application it would not factor into your gpa or put you at any particular disadvantage per se. And if your major is not “math-related” (hard sciences, engineering etc.) then it probably wouldn’t matter at all.</p>

<p>Overall, I would say if your major, generally speaking, does not have anything to do with math take the D and repeat.</p>

<p>This is definitely a tough situation. I do not know much abt the Incomplete so can’t give you much advice, but if you want to attend Grad school, I think Incomplete may be better… (Grad schools count your D as 1.0 regardless you retake it and get an A)</p>

<p>Crap. My major is Linguistics and Computer Science. Well, I am trying to get into UCLA and they are the only ones in CA with that unique single program… UGGGHHH.</p>

<p>Then either D or I will hurt you… is it too late for a W now?
Or can you study your @$$ off and get a B? You can always review the material later and prepare for the next math class.</p>

<p>I don’t have the discipline to learn it on my own. Hahaha. Yeah, it’s too late for a W. Stupid me!!! Tomorrow is the day of the final. I’ll ask about my final grade…</p>

<p>Will it really hurt me even if it’s a remedial nontransferable class?!</p>

<p>Some schools may take a look at your overall GPA. For UCLA, it says:</p>

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<p>It doesn’t say much about overall GPA so I don’t know… Nevertheless, good luck on tmr’s final, 'cause you will need it lol. Try to pull a B or something…</p>

<p>You may repeat a class in which you received a “D”, “F”, or “NC” and you will need counselor’s approval before you enroll. After you have successfully repeated the course, your new grade will replace the old grade in your SMC grade point average. The original grade will still appear on your transcript, but will be noted to indicate the course was repeated. If you are requesting a second repeat, you must meet with a counselor to request special consideration. If approved, the first substandard grade will be removed from your GPA, both the second and third grades will be calculated into your GPA. For example, if you earn an “F”, then a “D”, and finally a “B” grade in the same class, only the “F” will be removed from you GPA. Both the “D” and “B” grades would be calculated into your GPA.</p>

<p>If you are repeating a class in which you received a “W” (withdrawal) for the first time, you may re-enroll in that class without obtaining approval from an SMC counselor. Once you have successfully repeated the course, the “W” will not count in the total number of units you have enrolled in at SMC. However, second repeats must be approved by a counselor prior to enrollment, where a student has earned two "W’s, or a “W” and “D” or “F” previously in the same class, only the first two letter grades will be disregarded. However, if you are requesting a third repeat you must meet with a counselor to request special consideration.</p>

<p>You may also repeat a course that you successfully completed, if it has been at least three years since the original course was completed, but need to repeat in order to move to a higher level in that subject. For example, if you received an “A” in Spanish I over three years ago, but now want to continue your Spanish studies and progress higher, you may repeat Spanish 1 again, one time only, with counselor’s approval.</p>

<p>Lastly, you are allowed to repeat some courses more than once. Those courses will appear in the Schedule of Classes with the number of units assigned to them noted like this: (3,3). This indicates you may take this 3-unit class twice. However, some courses are grouped limiting the number of repeats within the group. These courses are generally physical education, music performance, dance performance and applied art classes.</p>

<p>If you have received a “D”, “F” or “NC” in the same class more than once, please make an appointment with a counselor to discuss your next steps, as you may be eligible for academic renewal.</p>

<p>Not doing well in a lower-level math class doesn’t necessarily mean you will fail the higher level ones. I barely passed intermediate algebra (the professor possibly gave me a passing grade out of pity) but I got A’s in every math class I’ve taken since.</p>

<p>I think it is better to take the final and hope for a C or B. a D just doesn’t look good on a transcript.</p>

<p>Did you take the final?</p>

<p>Yep. I bombed the final and not on purpose. Cripes. An incomplete was not possible anyway. Oh well. :-)</p>

<p>Sorry to hear this :frowning: Try to get a tutor and see if things will get better in the fall :D</p>

<p>Thanks for the help, guys. Seriously, you guys have been a huge credit to any questions or concerns I have had with regards to COLLEGE. :)</p>

<p>I’ll do well in the Fall, it was just a lot of information to take in over six weeks.</p>

<p>One thing to consider when taking remedial classes is that it does not matter whether you choose to take it for a letter grade or Credit/No-Credit because they’re essentially empty units, being non-transferrable and all. I personally would take any remedial classes you still need to take on a CR/No-CR basis – I think a CR looks better than a C on a transcript.</p>