Doubts and panic about California schools?

Applying to College
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<p>So unlike most of the people on these boards, I didn't apply to many colleges: just UCSB, Cal Poly, and San Diego State. Money is tight, and I couldn't afford to spend a bunch on applications, especially since a college counselor told me a I had an excellent shot at where I applied. I'm a good student with a 3.7 GPA, and a 2100 SAT.</p>

<p>Anyways, over the past couple weeks since I applied, panic has definitely set in. For one, I got a D in AP English last year, due to a myriad of reasons I'm not going to get into. The college counselor told me to just retake the class online to make up the grade, and as I applied for colleges, to just put "in progress" on the application instead of the D, because later the grade on my transcript would change. So I did that, having complete faith in her.
How wise was that decision? Now SDSU is emailing me telling me that my application is incomplete because I don't have the required English classes; I'm not sure what to put to fix my application, and I have four days left before I'm denied. Do I put the name of the online school I'm making up the class with? I have no idea.</p>

<p>Another note about the English: even though it was a D and technically didn't fulfill the UC requirement, on the SAT I received a 710 R, 770 W, 660 Literature on the SAT II, and a 5 on the AP test. Any one of those fulfills the English requirement, and I had them all. Does it work the same with state schools like Cal Poly and SDSU?</p>

<p>Also, my first term senior year grades came out, and I recieved a D in an AP Art History class. It's not a required class, as I already have two fine arts fulfilled. How will that affect me?</p>

<p>I'd just really like to have a general idea of what to expect: rejections from all three schools, admissions that are rescinded, admissions regardless... or perhaps I should send a letter to the schools? Cal Poly is my first choice, followed by UCSB then SDSU, so if anyone could shed focus on Cal Poly (Declared: Sociology) that would be a HUGE help. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Your 2 Ds would be a red flag to most college admission committees, and you can’t proceed by not explaining them for what they were and how you’ve proceeded to deal with them. Clearly from your SAT and AP grades the "D"s are not a matter of academics but some other reason, which only you can explain. And in your current situation you must explain them truthfully and directly, and trust the college admissions committees to process your situation and decide on how to proceed.</p>

<p>I would encourage you to work with a counselor – at your school if that is possible, or someone outside of school with whom you may decide to work. See if you and the counselor can contact the colleges and work from there.</p>

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<p>Thanks! I’ll definitely look into it. I’ve heard that since UCs request end of the year transcripts, if I get a good grade in the class I got a D in, it will look good. Is this true? Meaning, if I get an A second semester and a D first, will I be ok?</p>

<p>Anyone else??</p>