Getting a D in Pre-Calc

<p>Since i already have my required 3 years of math. Will getting a D in pre-calc ruin my minimum requirements of getting in a UC? I got it in 2nd semester of my junior year and im going into my senior year. I have heard of stories that UCs don't count the D as long as you finished your a-g requirements. I am just wondering. My grades have been A/Bs except my Precalc in the 2nd semester. </p>

<p>I’m not too familiar with the UC system, but the best option at this point would be to check with your guidance counselor or even the schools themselves.</p>

<ol>
<li>A “D” on your transcript especially Sophomore or Junior year will not bode well for you since the UC’s are very competitive.<br></li>
<li>Although you have met the a-g requirement for Math, you will be competing with other high school students that have taken up to a least Calculus AB and even BC.</li>
<li>Do you plan to retake and replace your D?? I highly recommend that you do since it will be calculated into your UC GPA (which is only sophomore/junior grades). See link: <a href=“Cal State Apply | CSU”>Cal State Apply | CSU;
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<p>Undoubted yes the D is an ugly outlier on your transcript. I’m afraid of my transcript for the UCs, i went from an A in pre cal during the first half to a B at the end of the year.</p>

<p>Minimum UC/CSU a-g requirements include math of geometry and algebra 2. If you have these with C or higher grades, you are ok on that front.</p>

<p>However, the D does count in your UC/CSU GPA, which can adversely affect your chances of admission. In addition, if you intend to take calculus in high school or college, a weak background in precalculus may make calculus a struggle.</p>

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An issue is that even if the OP retakes it the grade won’t replace the D in the GPA calc because UCs don’t ask for midterm grades from frosh. When you apply to a UC they see your classes and grades thru junior year, and the classes you plan on taking senior year. Signing up for it again might send a good signal, but it is also a bit of a risk. One of the conditions of admission is going to be no grade senior year below a C. There is no doubt the D on the transcript is going to affect the OP’s acceptance at the most selective UCs, but at least all the UCs know about the grade when they decide; any campus that has already seen it will not later rescind because of that junior year grade. However there may be a risk of that if the OP takes it again and once again does not earn a C or better. I’m not saying not to do it (in fact I think its a good idea), just to consider it carefully.</p>

<p>Since this is an advice column, here is unsolicited advice. The OP has been given an opportunity here. Its worth spending some time thinking about why the grade was a D, and improving the areas causing problems senior year. In effect the OP gets a whole year to practice better academic skills, and regular class tests as well as the grades received will give guidance on whether its working or not. Many kids get by in HS on their native smarts and a smattering of study, something that won’t be enough in college. The OP has just found out the limits of this. Even if she/he never plans on taking a math/science class in college, building strong study habits now will pay dividends no matter the field that is pursued. Its a blessing in disguise to realize you need to do this now, when your HS grades will soon be just a memory, than to be hit with the realization while in college when the grades will matter for future employers and when the pace is much more hectic.</p>