<p>I got an F in my precalculus class due to serious family issues I was having. This was during junior year as well so I am unsure as to how badly this was affect me. I want to go to StonyBrook or NYU.Should I retake the class and do better? It would still show that I failed a class though.</p>
<p>Badly, I’m afraid. Your guidance counselor might be able to address the extenuating circumstances when he or she completes the Secondary School Report on the Common App. That would limit the damage, but not undo it entirely.</p>
<p>IMO, you should retake the class, even if the failing grade remains on your transcript. Retaking the class demonstrates that you went back to improve upon what was deficient before. Additionally, if you ever want to do anything involving math ever again–including satisfying your college math requirement–you’ll benefit from having learned some of the stuff that’s in that class.</p>
<p>If the rest of your classes you have good grades then you should be okay. You can retake it to get a better grade and ultimately raise your GPA. The college will still see the F. However, they understand that life happens. In your personal statement and other places on the application you have the opportunity to explain or clarify certain circumstances that resulted in something such as a bad course grade. If that is your only bad mark and you had a good reason for it, they may not hold it against you.</p>