I am a cc student and applied to transfer for Fall 2017 to pretty much all of the UC’s. I am taking an organic chemistry course and due to performing poorly on the midterm and quizzes, I have lost 25% of my grade already. The class is curved a bit, so if I try really hard I think I could pull of a C. However, I am also contemplating if I should just drop the course for a W and take it next quarter. But will this ruin my chances at LA and affect my tag? On my TAU I put this class as in progress and the second series of organic chemistry as planned for spring. A C- would drop my GPA significantly, but UC’s won’t see that grade till after acceptances come out. And I would need to email them about this and change my TAU (which lists this class as in progress). I think if I do take the course next quarter, I could pull of a high B or an A.
Basically, should I power through and try to get a C or just drop with a W?
Some additional info is I TAGged Davis and was accepted. I am a UCLA tap member and have a 3.79 gpa. I am on track to have all my prereqs done by this spring. Even if I take this course next quarter, I will still complete my prereqs.
Well here’s a bit of a story and my experience with getting my first and only C.
In my experience and opinion a W is WAY better than a C. A C brings your GPA down so much its ridiculous. I learned that lesson the hard way during my first semester at CCC when I was taking my first C++ programming class ever. I thought if I stuck it out I would get a B but my family issues were too prominent at the time and I failed to see it. When my family issues got really bad it was too late and before I knew it I had my first C… (and I got two Bs one in Calc 3 and one in Discrete Math; my GPA for that semester was 2.93). When I changed to another CCC due to my dads job relocation I retook a similar beginning C++ course and got an A. I retook the course because I wanted an internship with my professor and I wanted to make sure I understood beginning concepts of C++.
My first semester at CCC truly crushed me because prior to that I was a straight A student at my old school in New York City. And it was mainly because of that C. The time during the first 2 years in California was a really dark place for me. I’m glad I’m out of that place now. But the cost was my GPA lowering to UC Transferable lowering to 3.68 and my Major GPA lowering to 3.69 (for Cal atleast)…
Anyway back to you. So your case is specific. I think you should discuss this with your mentors, teacher, etc… I think they would be able to give better advice than anyone here.