I got an F and won't be able to fully make it up before my UC application, how will this affect me?

I took a simple math class to get my requirements finished last semester at my CC, foolishly failed it because of too many absences (was only a day or two late from the drop deadline), and now I have an F on my record. I’m signing up for my summer/fall semester classes right now, but my goals have changed and I have my eyes on another math course. Even if I took the math class during the fall, I would have to apply before I could fix the F (currently dragging my GPA down significantly), what do I do? I would really like to get into Cal or UCLA, and I don’t want to spend extra semesters at my CC, how do I handle this F?

Really hate to bump my own post, but I’m feeling pretty desperate. If it’s as simple as just letting the colleges know that I’m currently retaking the course and acknowledging my mistakes, I’m all for it.

This is a college course so does it show up on your high school transcript?
If it does, then unfortunately you’re kind of screwed. UC’s have a requirement of no grade lower than a C so you won’t be able to get in any UC.
I’m pretty sure UC’s only look at high school transcripts so if CC grades show up, you might have to consider other options.

Are you a CC transfer or a HS student? I’m afraid UCs are very unforgiving of Fs. Was this a a-g required class? You need to seek assistance from your HS GC or your CC transfer adviser, whichever you are enrolled in. I don’t know the details but it may behoove you to replace the exact class in the summer. I won’t be finished by application time but the application reopens early in the year for you to update grades from summer and fall semester. Ask the adviser if it helps a lot to replace the exact class, or not.

I’m a CC transfer. I would academically renew the grade, since I changed my major this semester, but it hasn’t been two years since I failed (moronic rule, in my opinion). I feel like it would do nothing but hurt me to retake it now, except for of course the boost in GPA, as it would make the coursework required for my new major that much harder to figure out.

Talk to your GC. They’ve seen this before.