<p>We had a midterm in Physics 8a and I feel I did rather poorly on it. I want to drop the class, but if I do I won't get back the summer fees I paid and can't get financial aid. So I'm thinking of just keeping the Physics class and changing it to p/np and that way I can still get my financial aid for summer (I'm taking another ac class). I can retake physics in fall and the material will be fresh as well. Anyone have any advice to offer regarding this situation?</p>
<p>I think it partly depends on why you are taking the course. If you are hoping to get into med school, how they handle the P/NP and then taking it for a grade may be a different answer, from how UC Berkeley handles it. I don't know the answer to either, but if you can clarify your issues and concerns, it will help people to answer your question.</p>
<p>You also will want to talk with the professor about your midterm grade. I may be that the material gets harder, not easier, as time goes on. Try to identify where the difficulty is so you can get extra help/study more effectively.</p>
<p>I am actually taking the class as a pre-req for a pre-med path. I don't want to risk getting a B-/ C in the class. So I was thinking that maybe I should just take it p/np, and then take it for a grade in fall. I'm confused as to how medical schools will look at a class for which I got a pass the first time and then took it for a grade. I am also not sure if Cal will let me retake a class which I passed for a grade later on. If you know more about this type of situation, please let me know.</p>
<p>Here is what the Berkeley page says. Sounds like it's cool with Berkeley, it just doesn't count for your GPA or for graduation:</p>
<p>College</a> Policies-Grade Policies
"If you repeat a course in which you received a grade other than a D, F, NP, or U, the course will count as part of your class schedule for the semester and the grade you earn will be listed on your transcript. However, the grade will not be included in your GPA, and the course units will not count toward graduation. "</p>
<p>Big question is how will medical schools look at it.</p>
<p>No, you don't want to take it for P/NP for med school for a pre-req. It's a big no-no. Ideally, you want to just sit down the entire summer, bust your ass, ace the second miterm and the final and try to pull a B+ or higher. Go talk to the professor. It's not the end of the world if you end up with a C. If you do though, make sure you nail Physics 8B.</p>