<p>I just completed my freshman year as a EE at Georgia Tech. I did pretty well the first semester (3.8 GPA with a difficult course load), but I pretty much bombed my second semester (one D in CS 1372 and two B's in ECE 2030 and DiffEQ). At least I got an A in DSP. For the course I got a D in, I literally showed up for 2 classes and missed most of my homework assignments. I really should have taken a lighter course load or dropped the class, when I had the chance. This was the result of me partying too hard and losing my focus. I don't think it's a problem with my major; I love everything about it. It's just that my major classes are harder, and given the same amount of attention, or lack thereof, I will do worse in the major classes. I'm really depressed right now b/c I want to get back on track to getting a 4.0 or at least a 3.8+. I know I'm very capable of doing it, but I think employers are going to look down upon me getting a D in a major-related course. I'm retaking the class this summer, and I am sure that I am going to get an A. The class is very easy for me, now that I actually attend lectures.</p>
<p>My current GPA is 3.5 overall/2.9 major (the major GPA is so low b/c I've taken only a handful and I got a D in one of them). After summer classes and using freshman forgiveness for the D, my GPA will be 3.71 overall/3.7 major. I'm applying for co-ops at this time, and I'm aiming kind of low, due to last sem's GPA. So my question to you is, if I show a trend of A's for the next semester or two, do you think I'll be able to land an internship or co-op with a top tech company? This used to be my main motivation, and I'm now worried that I no longer have a chance at it. Also, will the D kill my chances of eventually applying for a grad program or even possibly an MBA in the not too distant future?</p>
<p>Maybe I’m being overly worried. After all, it is Georgia Tech, and it was only my freshman year…but a D is still a D.</p>
<p>I’d recommend you not worry too much about it and just do your best. It is what it is… all you can do is move on and hope for the best.</p>
<p>I mean, what kind of answers do you want? It’s OK to get a D in an in-major course? Or that it happens all the time, and you’ll be fine?</p>
<p>It’s a D in a C programming class, which is pretty important I guess. Do you think employers are willing to overlook the D if the student has retaken the class and can demonstrate that he/she knows the language very well? Say, if I TA for a class I got a D in, will that help? This whole situation is really frustrating b/c I got a bad grade in the class not b/c I’m stupid or don’t know the material, but b/c I was being lazy and irresponsible.</p>
<p>Certainly taking the class again and passing will look better than not. Being a TA for it can’t look bad… In any event, provided that your overall GPA ends up decent and you get the diploma, I imagine that a lot of industry people will not write you off immediately. Don’t be surprised if they ask about it after seeing your transcript, though… be ready to explain to them what happened. They should understand that regular college kids maybe aren’t completely motivated their freshman year.</p>
<p>That being said, it might be more of an issue if you’re applying for enrollment to a top PhD program. I’d imagine academia is somewhat less forgiving than industry, at all levels of play.</p>
<p>It’s not a huge deal. Low grades matter less the farther you get from them - by the time you graduate, the D and the entire semester will be a relatively small deal. Certainly it would be best to repeat it with a better grade (and won’t you NEED to to graduate?), but one or two low grades will not matter in the long run unless they are particularly relevent to that job or grad research area. Definitely plan on explaining how it happened and why (a) it was not characteristic of you and how (b) it will never happen again.</p>