Hello. I’m a Political Science major in a California Community College. This fall semester has not been good to me. I originally took Calculus I to challenge myself because I thought I could at least pull off a B. However, I finished with a 79.5% and the professor told me she would not round it up for me, which sucks so much. I’m a 4.0 student. This is the first time I received a grade that is not an A. Assuming I go back to keeping a 4.0 by the time I transfer, my overall GPA would be a 3.87. I feel like I can do this because I won’t be taking anymore science or mathematics classes. I’ll only be taking classes in the humanities and social science field, which I do better in anyways. I’m hoping to get into a top UC, like UCLA or UC Berkeley, but right now I’m not even sure that I’ll get in because of the C. I am so disappointed in myself and nervous about my future. Please give me some insight and advice. Thanks you guys.
Also, do you guys think I should take Calculus II to prove myself. I feel like it would only look good if I can pull off at least a B. I’m thinking with the right professor and with a new attitude towards studying, this MIGHT POSSIBLY happen. But at the same time, I don’t want a repeat of what happened in Calculus I because that would bring my GPA even more down.
One C isn’t going to kill your chances, especially when everything else is an A and when it was in a class that isn’t even (I’m assuming) required.
3.87 is still a very good GPA and I’m sure they wouldn’t put too much weight on one small hiccup.
UCLA has the most competitive UC for PoliSci majors and 3.87 is above average for them by a good margin. UCLA Political Science isn’t even impacted. If you get rejected from either of those institutions, know that GPA will not have been the reason.
You probably won’t feel this way now, but falling from 4.0 grace is honestly one of the best blessing that a student can receive. It puts things back into perspective because you will never again have a perfect GPA. Thus, you can relax more and focus more on providing excellent work rather than obsessing over points and whether you are going to be given an A-, which couldn’t be further from a grade to obsess over. My GPA dropped by .3 points last spring, but though I received all As this fall, I was so much more relaxed. I never even tried to calculate my grades before finals week because I knew that they were going to be great and I had nothing to worry about.
Thanks guys for making me feel better. I can’t stop obsessing over that C because I was sooo close to a B, which would have looked way better than the C. But I guess I’ll get over it with time. Do any one think I should take Calculus II to prove myself? I’ve been thinking about it. I know it’ll be harder but I feel like with the right professor and not slacking off, I can somehow manage to get at least a B. MAYBE by a miracle even an A. But I don’t know because at the same time, I do not want a repeat of what happened with Calculus II.
I mean Calculus I.
I mean, if you want, but they’re not going to use your Spring grades for admissions purposes. If you do it at all, you should do it for your own benefit.
Hey buddy, if you end up taking Calc2 definitely go on khanacademy and brush through those topics. They helped when I took it, but then again I’m a CS major so I’m expected to excel in those courses. As a PScience major a C/B in Calc 1 + 2 won’t look too bad, its understandable. And not getting into those schools isn’t the end of the world! I understand your passion though. If you take Calc 2 also make sure that you understand your trig thoroughly, I’m talking identities as well as knowing every value for the unit circle (which is easy to learn once you understand the patterns). Also Calc 2 of course deals heavily with integration so before you enter the class review whatever basic integration processes you guys did in Calc1.
What @goldencub said. But, if you take it any you get a C again, you could risk getting your application rescinded.
Their decision will already have been made on acceptance though prior to you even finishing spring semester. It won’t help you get in, but it could potentially keep you out.
I give you credit for giving calculus a shot. Lord knows I wouldn’t have the courage to do that. I wouldn’t stress over the C much, if I were you.
In my view, part of navigating college is knowing what classes to take, and bearing in mind the ones to avoid. From what I’ve read, there seems to be some kind of consensus that Calculus II is one of the most difficult math classes one will ever take.
Since you’re a political science major, I see no reason to burden yourself with such a course. Achieving a B in Caluclus II will have no beneficial bearing on your admission status. But as said above, a C could most certainly jeopardize your chances.
I do understand why you feel like you must take Caluclus II. But you don’t have anything to prove. You have a stellar GPA. Taking such a difficult class that is completely unnecessary for your major doesn’t say much besides you’re willing to challenge yourself. But I think A’s look a lot better than any perceived struggle.
Political science is impacted, but as @cheolf said, you’ve nothing to prove by taking calc 2. UCLA won’t care if you take that class.
You’ll most likely still get in at UCLA with a 3.87 GPA, higher than the average for that major. Berkeley as well.
I haven’t been wrong(to my knowledge) about predicting who’ll get in and who doesn’t yet, and I’ve been here a while. 
I didn’t think you could retake a “C” grade because it is a passing grade.
@“aunt bea” That is correct. Some people, despite having earned a C, will ask their professor to give them a D. They do this for the sole intention of retaking the course.
Thank you guys so much for being helpful and nice.
Irrelevant, but isn’t a C- a failing grade? I don’t think it matters for most CCs; only some CCs/professors give out +'s or -'s. I’m pretty sure one can retake a C-, though.
My community college don’t give out +/-. I got a C, even though I should have gotten a C+. Should I do an addendum and tell the school I’m applying to that I had a 79.5%. Would they even believe me? Maybe I can print out the grade sheet because my professor posted all grades online, and I printed it out at the end of the semester. But I don’t know if they would believe me or think that it is a fake.
idk
@SeaStar11201 I know that in some cases you can retake a class (does not matter what you got in it) at a different cc and if you get a higher grade you can petition to drop it from your record. My sister did that at San Diego Miramar college 5 years ago. She had a rough start, got a C, then took the same class again at Palomar, got an A, brought transcripts back to Miramar and petitioned to remove the class from her record. I am not sure though if any other schools have the same policy, check with your academic adviser.
But even if you don’t have time to do all this, do not worry, 3.87 is an amazing gpa. I agree with @TheVisionary, not having to chase that perfect 4.0 is the greatest blessing.
I believe you are correct…unless there have been any recent changes. A C- is the equivalent of a NP in the P/NP format so accordingly the UCs treat it as not passing.
Interestingly the CSUs treat a C- as a passing score but won’t allow a student to use it as prerequisite credit. (i.e. You passed Calc I with a C- but can’t take Calc II without retaking Calc I)
@SeaStar11201 Anyway - don’t worry so much about the C. You’ve already proven yourself with all of your other As - the admissions department will likely view your performance in Calc as an anomaly. Don’t sweat it. There’s nothing you can do now but wait, and I’m sure you’ll get into one of the top schools with your track record.
Out of curiosity, what is your GPA now, with your Fall grades? (you gave an overall GPA that you could attain through the Spring, but you didn’t give your current overall transferable GPA)