I am a pretty decent student and I usually receive A’s and B’s in courses like history or English. (They are my strongest subjects.) My weakest subject is math, and it shows. :-<
I looked at my current transcript today and I am highly concerned. I KNOW for sure that Cal States won’t accept anyone with a D. I’ve asked people at school for answers, but they’re all different. None of them were the same.
I received a D for one semester in 10 grade, BUT I made it up in summer school and I got an A. It shows on my transcript that I received a D at first and shows the recovery (in the next box) that I got an A. It also says that my made up GPA for 10th grade that semester was a 4.0)
- Does the D grade show when I apply to a Cal State? Or does it show my made up grade, which is an A?
- Does this eliminate my chance for trying to get in a Cal State?
- Will they consider the fact that I spent my time trying to make that grade up?
- Should I take math for a 4th year (Senior next year) or drop it for an AP subject I'm interested in?
Please be honest & thanks in advanced. Any advice for Cal States are welcome too. 
Why are you not discussing the nuts and bolts with your GC who will know everything about CSU admissions?
You can also use CSU Mentor.
https://secure.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/
- I think both will show
- no, since you have replace it
- if you meet the eligibility index it doesn't matter
- as your GC
The GCs at many schools are over-worked and pretty inept. That why there is a cottage industry of consultants in my community - but, off my soap box.
I think you are probably OK with the summer class.
If possible, make an appointment with an admission counselor at your local CSU this summer. Bring your transcript and Sr schedule and ask them directly. In my experience, they’ll take all the time you need to be sure you are on the right course. They will explain how their eligibility index works and give you a decent feel for where you stand.
CSUs (except CalPoly SLO) really don’t care much about your Sr schedule. You have to complete the A-G stuff with a C or better - but that’s it. If you know you are destined for a CSU, don’t kill yourself Sr year. You will be busy and have other things on your mind. CalPoly SLO and UCs have a different outlook on your Sr year schedule - so, if you don’t know yet - be sure to meet the ‘recommended’ threshold in the UC A-G table.
For a 4th year of math - Something like AP Stat might be a good choice, not too hard but, you get AP credit for a math class required by many popular majors (including Biz and Econ).
Good luck
@NCalRent instead of adding math I might replace it with AP psychology since I might be a Marketing or International Studies major. Do you think that AP psychology is still a wise/good decision for Senior year?
What math have you completed?
CSU and UC want at least geometry and algebra 2.
@ucbalumnus I am currently in Algebra 2 as a junior. still deciding if I should take AP Psychology or Finite Math for my leftover class.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/csu-uc-a-g-comparison-matrix.pdf will probably be of interest to you with respect to CSU and UC requirements.
Also check http://doorways.ucop.edu for which of your high school’s courses qualify for each category.
@ucbalumnus is spot on - the critical thing is to have successfully completed Geometry and Alg 2 with a C or better. Assuming you’ve already done that, and know you don’t want to apply to a UC or CP SLO, the choice is yours. I don’t know your stats or situation so, i don’t know what you’d qualify for. Be careful closing that door now - you may regret it in October.
Also, Math is one of those subjects where continuous exposure is a good thing. You will probably be taking math placement exams and will have to take at least one college level math class. Taking 2 years away from math - then taking a required class in college will require you to re-start that part of your brain. I’d take the Stat class. (though for SLO, you’d want to take pre-calc.)
I feel like Collegecondetial is filled with whole bunch of people who didn’t even apply to college.
I personnaly apply to multiple CSU and accepted at CSULB, Domingus hills, Cal Poly Pomona,
ALong with a UCD.
- Does the D grade show when I apply to a Cal State? Or does it show my made up grade, which is an A?
When you apply to CSU using their website, they will ask you to TYPE in your accumulative GPA. Since your second try will override your first try, it won;t get impacted as much. You will need to send in the transcript late on to verify that you actually got the grade you reported.
- Does this eliminate my chance for trying to get in a Cal State? there are many Cal state colleges... some schools like SDSU, CSULB, Cal poly SLO, Fullerton is hard to get into ( every single major in Fullerton is impacted) but when I didn't get into Fullerton, they forwarded my application to CSU Channel Island and Bakersfield. I guess they still have openings there.
Which school are you trying to go??? which major would you like to study? ( you can always change your major don’t get hung up on this) see CSU major impaction list.
- Will they consider the fact that I spent my time trying to make that grade up?
Yes. Some people prefer CSU for the cost and proximity, but also it’s easier to get into CSU then UC. also, there are many non-traditional, carrier oriented people who didn’;t do well in school in firsttime enter into CSU.
Many CSU will not care that you repeated the course. they won;t even know it until you send in the transcript.
- Should I take math for a 4th year (Senior next year) or drop it for an AP subject I'm interested in?
Some people thinks that college wants well rounded people, but it’s hard enough to good at one thing. it’s better to a specialist at one subject, or field then trying to cover all your bases.
take AP in subject you are strong in. don’t take weak classes either.
prep up for sat/act. some people prep as soon as they get into hs.
consider other schools. read school rankings… also go to all avalable majors listing in UC berkely / and CSULB and know all the majors you and apply. ( have you heard of Cognitive Science? or Informatics?) 80% of people apply to boring 20% major ( psychology, Econ… pre0med pre law…) there are so many fields. get educated.
UC tuition is higher than CSU, but after scholarship, my UC attending was cheaper. APPLY EVERY WHERE!!! even private school like USC>
Contact me anytime.
@MIN16QAKJ and @decemberjoy: Yes, you enter in your CSU GPA but you also have list ALL your grades that appear on your transcript including the D. Since you repeated the class, the A will be used in your CSU GPA but your transcripts will still show the D and not reporting it could result in you being rescinded.
From CSU Matrix:
Required “a-g” courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Any course may be repeated. There is no limitation on the number of times a course can be repeated.
Sorry @decemberjoy: Updated information regarding reporting your grades on CSU application. This directly from the instructions:
Q. I repeated a course, do I have to list the “bad” grade and the new grade?
A. No. As stated below, if you have repeated a course by taking the exact course at a later time, list the highest grade you achieved for the term(s) are repeated. Do NOT enter in a repeated course twice.
Your D will show up on your final transcript but will not be included in your GPA and it will show the repeat grade.
Good Luck.
You should really talk to your high school guidance counselor AND ask someone in admissions for a CSU. There’s no better place to get a definite answer than from the horse’s mouth. My username and avatar seal may seem official but don’t quote me (or anyone else for that matter) about anything.
- I would assume both grades show up.
- I wouldn't think so, but then again, I'm no authority on the matter.
- They probably wouldn't consider it if they didn't approve of the D being there at all.
- You should still take a math. Either AP Stats or an honors math.
Really? Most posts I’ve read indicate they are student applying or parents.
OP, the question as to whether the D shows should be directed to your GC. They may or may not show it.
As said above, while I am not in California, at my school my transcript looks very different than my report card. Not all grades on my report card go on my final transcript. Go see the registrar or whoever is reponsible for sending out your final transcript to CSU or UC or wherever, ask them whether the D will ever leave the building.
As far as math goes, note that many business (including marketing) majors will require calculus, although a less rigorous version for business majors is often accepted. This may mean that needing to take a precalculus course before taking calculus.
@erin’s Dad “They may or may not show it.” what does that mean?? How does that help this person? Are you familiar with CSUMentor website?
- you can ask your guidance counselor, but for me it was easy to reach out to CSU you want apply and hear directly from admission counselor. Northridge, Long Beach, Cal poly all answered my endless questions without a problem.
- you are obviously freaking out about your one bad grade. Since you made up the grade and A is taking a place of D, I do not think it should matter as much ( not sure which CSU you are talking about ...)
- If you are going into Lib art direction and STEM side is not your calling, I would suggest taking AP in the subject you are strong in and get good ap test score in it.
- Don't forget to apply to UC, Tuition is higher than CSU, but after Collge grants and scholarship, it might be cheaper to attend the CSU.
- contact me anytime.
As other people have posted, a semester grade may not be shown on a transcript. Some schools just put final grades. The OP should ask his GC for a sample and see what it looks like.
I have never used CSUMentor since I don’t live in CA (any longer). I did look and you are right that it seems to take all the semester grades.
Thanks for the info everyone! :-bd and @MIN16QAKJ I am trying to apply to SDSU, CSULB, CSUF, and Dominiguez Hills. The only UC in my mind so far is UCI.
Most likely I am going to the Liberal Arts and studies or Business field. (International Studies, ESL, or marketing)
@BrownParent and sorry I can only go to this website or a few of my teachers at school that has help students apply before atm. I’ve asked my counselor about college advice all he says is “Follow the A-G requirements!!” 
doesn’t answer my questions at all honestly. I think he’s just trying to get us out of high school for the least. I’m waiting for college admissions people to visit my school.
found the answer: yes, my teacher said they see the better grade, and they are going to still see the D on the transcript. Still okay so far
@decemberjoy
Here is CSU impaction list. Impacted means there are more people applying then the space available.
CSUF -every single major is impacted.
SDSU - many majors are impacted
CSULB - many majors are impacted.
CSUDH - pretty low level school… of all the CSU that i applied … they offered acceptace first.
Don’t rely on GC. they do not have answer for every little colleges, majors, etc, do your own homework. each school, each major is different.