I received a D in my second semester of Calculus and a C in my first semester. I plan to retake my second semester at local community college. Does this affect my chances into getting a CSU? I usually get A’s and B’s in my classes
What did you get in Algebra II and Pre-Calc?
I took Algebra II at a community college before freshman year where I got a B+. In Pre-Calc I got a C
To replace your grade of a D in AP Calculus on your transcript, you need to retake the exact same class. If you retake the class at a CC, both grades will be reported and included in your CSU GPA calculation. If you pass the College course however, then that grade will be given more consideration. Much will depend upon how much your D affects your CSU GPA and if you will have the CC course completed in time for the CSU application cycle to self-report. Also which CSU’s are you targeting? The more competitive the CSU’s, the more the D will affect your chances.
May want to see if you can retake over summer in your school district.
@Gumbymom I’m thinking about CSU Fullerton and CSU Fresno
CSU Fullerton and CSU Fresno are impacted campuses so it may make a difference. I would contact admissions at each school and just ask if it is better to retake the original class or retaking the class in a CC is fine. Like I stated above, to replace the D grade on your transcript, you do need to retake the same class.
Well if you get a 4 or 5 on the AP test that would help a lot.
I am surprised your school let you take AP Calc after getting a C in pre-calc. You weren’t prepared. Can you take pre-calc again this summer, and then re-take AP Calc AB next year. That is much more likely to set you up for success.
I’m concerned that you are struggling with Calculus because you haven’t mastered Pre-Calculus and Trig. Try to take a math diagnostic exam at a community college to see where should be placed. Then try to get strong grades in other classes to counter the effect of the D.
The thing about math is that if you don’t have a steady foundation (read: B+ in Algebra II & C in Precalc), it’ll hurt you later on, as you’ve noticed. If you are going to take the class again–which it seems you must–you have to go back over the basics. Or you’ll get just as bad of a grade.
I’m also not really sure why you were taking CC classes before freshman year. In your effort to get ahead, you’ve put yourself back.
To clarify you took pre-calc as a freshman and got a C? Then Calc AB as a sophomore? Why did you accelerate?
Scoring well on AP test or taking it at CC will show some level of mastery, but won’t remove the D from GPA calculations. If you are a sophomore, I would consider the academic renewal suggested by others and taking pre-calc this summer.
What grade are you in now?
One thing that you need to understand about calculus, and math in general: What you learn today is based on what you learned last week and what you learned last year. What you are going to learn next year is based on what you learn today and what you learned yesterday.
If you got a C in pre-calc, then you are not ready for calculus.
Also, if you want to major in anything in Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics, then you MUST know Algebra and Calculus really well. These subjects are key to what a technology, engineering or math major is going to be doing for many years.
@Massmomm said “I am surprised your school let you take AP Calc after getting a C in pre-calc.”
As usual, Massmom is entirely correct. Your school should never have let this happen.
In theory, passing precalculus with a C should mean being ready for calculus. With grade inflation or otherwise low academic standards in many high schools, that may not be true in many cases. In some high schools, even an A grade does not indicate readiness to take the next course.
Why thank you for that “as usual,” @DadTwoGirls! I’m gonna cut and paste your remark in a message to my children, so that they will finally realize that I am entirely correct! 