For reference, I am a CS student and I am looking to transfer into UCI, UCSB, or UCR.
During my first year of community college was B’s in precalc math + calc 1.
However, I have A’s in all my Comp sci classes.
During the Fall of 2019, I had to drop all my major courses (calc 2 and my last CS course which would’ve let me apply for transfer that semester) because I needed to help out in my family business (i have an unstable household).
As a result, I have 2 "W"s (courses that I have already withdrawn will appear so on my transcript as a “W”).
So during a 6-week intersession for winter, I figured that I may be able to do calc 2.
My CC is in the semester system.
Then my father suffered a stroke around New Year’s (right after my winter intersession started) which brought on me stressing over issues like the hospital bill, scheduling for who will take care of him in the hospital, and whether or not he will be able to make any sort of recovery physically (on the left side of his body) or mentally.
I’m looking to drop my calc2 course because I don’t believe I will be able to get a B or above, barely at a C.
I just want to know if my potential 3 W’s will really hurt my chances at transfer admission for UCs or CSUs and if dropping will be worth it.
Help on how I could explain my situation: like maybe submitting proof of the stroke happening in some way (via all my visit stickers and donation post on Facebook) on my application is also greatly appreciated.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad.
Have you spoken to your academic counselor at your CC?
UC’s don’t accept additional documentation, recommendations, etc. outside of the structure of the application. You can (and should) address your personal circumstances and challenges in the writing portion of the application (striking a balance so that this isn’t all your talk about).
All three of your target campuses participate in the Transfer Admission Guarantee (“TAG”) program. Were you already planning to TAG at one of your schools? In that case, it should be a matter of meeting all guidelines/requirements, and not anything subjective about how the W’s “look.” Speak with your counselor to make sure you’re on track, and then do what you need to do and come back to Calc II when you’re ready to give it your full attention. Since you’re already enrolled and past the point of being able to drop without a W, try to take full advantage of your access to the course content and materials while you have them. You’re going to want Calc II to go smoothly on the next pass, so utilize everything you have access to now, to get a head start and go in over-prepared the next time.
Also take advantage of all the resources you can vis-a-vis your dad’s situation. Sounds like you’re in SoCal? Reach out to the Stroke Association www.strokesocal.org and get all the resources you can from the social worker and discharge planner. Do everything you can to put other supports in place for your family; because once you transfer, it’s going to become even more difficult to put school aside to help out.
I hope your dad makes a good recovery and things start to stabilize for your family.