I’m taking a calculus class and public speaking this summer. I had an accident and was admitted to a hospital for about 2 weeks, missing a big chunk of my classes (this was past the drop date). Math is fine, as my professor let me make up everything I missed, but for my public speaking class, attendance is pretty much your whole grade. Even if I get a perfect score on my final speech, there is basically no chance of me passing since I missed so many classes.
My overall GPA so far is a 3.75 and I’m trying to transfer to UCI next year as a chemistry major.
Also, I this public speaking class is just a requirement for my back-up school (a CSU). So basically, I don’t even really need it that much, so it’s pretty frustrating. If I could still drop this class, I would.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any insight.
Edit: I already emailed and showed my public speaking professor about my being in the hospital btw, I tried showing her my doctor’s note as well but in any case she didn’t let me make up any quizzes I missed or anything at least.
@jw7853 Ok, first take a deep breath. It is not that bad considering the situation. First of all, you should go to your CCC admissions and show the medical documentation and ask for the form to request a retroactive withdrawal. That is a withdrawal that they give if an emergency comes up. You’ll need to show documentation, but really if you were in the hospital that should work.
If it DOESN’T happen, then retake the class and the F will be erased from the GPA. Then in the additional comments section of the UC application, note the situation and tell them you have medical documentation. The fact that you repeated it will essentially take care of that problem. But you also have a good excuse. The will not calculate the F in their decision, and will definitely not hold a hospital stay against you.
BTW, when you mention documentation to the UC don’t just say a doctor’s note. Have the bill at the ready in case they ask for it (you can cross out the costs). Show that you were in the hospital. You might also want to copy the bill and send to the teacher in question. She should be giving you a W. You shouldn’t have to go over her head to get it, if she was a nice person.
You can’t drop it? There are usually two drop dates - one where you won’t get a W, and one where you will. The first one is usually a week after summer classes start, and the one where you will get a W (a grade that UC’s don’t care about). That’s generally doable until the last week of classes starts. (it’s probably the last week of classes so this isn’t applicable, but hey it’s possible)
I’m also PRETTY sure that Public Speaking courses are not UC transferable. If so, it won’t affect your GPA anyway. Definitely explain it in the additional comments section, though. Agreed with everything @lindyk8 said.
Often professors can’t give a W – that is a big deal that has to be arranged between the student and the university or CC. But the OP should try for a W.
The prof is likely not the last word here. Get in touch next with the dept chair, and then the dean, then the chancellor (assuming each level turns you down). Politely but firmly ask that an exception be made in your case due to the circumstances (with which you should supply documentation to prove it). 2 weeks in a hospital is pretty drastic.
Someone at your college ought to be able to fix this. I remember at orientation the dean of my college gave a welcome talk and in part of it he said “The University gives me the responsibility to enforce the rules, and the power to waive them. If you have a serious problem, come see me.”
I got a D that I never made up and I still got in all the schools I wanted. Schools look at the overall picture.
But just retake the class and they won’t care at all. Seriously, they don’t care if you retake a class.
In regards to the professor, I would’ve done the same. Attendance is very important for communications and I would’ve expected you to withdraw from the class and take it when you are healthy. It’s not fair to the other students otherwise.
