Having one D one semester

Sooo… I happened to be one of THOSE dudes who received a D in their first semester of AP bio but received a C in the second semester. (Which to me still is not that good…) In a few months, I’ll be applying to UC Riverside and UC Merced and believe me, I am scared as hell right now because of that one D. I read online that all UCs don’t accept anything below a C so to me, that’ll send some red flags even with all the rest of my courses being C or higher and all the extracurriculars. Should I apply or should I just focus on state schools?

Do you plan to retake the 1st semester of AP Biology? Does your transcript show your final grade C only or both the D and C?

What is your UC GPA calculate with the D? https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

What is your intended major? STEM related?
Do you meet the laboratory science requirement without that D?

Which state schools would you be targeting? What about your SAT/ACT score?

what did your GC say to you?

No, I plan on double sciencing with physics and anatomy. My transcript shows one C and one D. (D being in the first semester.) My GPA is around a 3.4. My intended major is information systems and I don’t know about the lab science requirement. The state schools targeted would be SF state, Northridge, East Bay, and LA. SAT? uhh… 1160

In terms of my counselor, she told me that I would be okay with the double science, but at the same time, they encouraged taking the class over again.

For the UC’s you need the following for lab sciences:
Two years (three years recommended) of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects may be used to fulfill this requirement. One yearlong interdisciplinary science or integrated science or earth and space sciences course can meet one year of this requirement — and combined with one year of biology or chemistry or physics, fulfills the full requirement.

For the Cal States, you need the following:
Laboratory Science (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science)

You can check this link for your HS to see if Anatomy will qualify.

https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/search/institution

UC Merced does not have an Information systems major.

With your current GPA, UC Riverside is possible but the IS program is in the school of business which is a tough admit. I think the Cal States you have listed would be more feasible.