<p>I just got back my final report card, and among 4 A's and 2 B's, I got a flat F for this quarter (final grade was C-, with all other quarters being either B's or C's for this class). The class was AP World History, which was by far my worst, ever. I do have an "excuse" so to speak, in that there were virtually no grades since we spent the quarter mostly working on our final paper, which was not averaged into our grades (I received a B- for that).</p>
<p>So I'm wondering how bad this is, and how I should go about remedying it? I was thinking a letter would be appropriate, though I'm not sure if that would be seen as just making excuses. I do see myself as a decently strong student for UR in terms of things such as test scores, etc., so I'm hoping they will be lenient. Anyone have any advice for my situation?</p>
<p>I doubt a C- (final grade) will get you rescinded, though the F for the quarter may get you put on academic probation for the first semester. </p>
<p>And academic probation isn’t a big deal. (Unless you earn below a 2.0 GPA once you get here. Then you’ll be considered for ‘separation’–academic dismissal.)</p>
<p>Don’t contact admissions unless you receive a letter/email from them first. You don’t want to draw attention to your failing grade. </p>
<p>(And frankly, admissions probably isn’t particularly interested in why you got an F. Any story you have unless it involves your serious illness/injury, hospitalization, a death in the family or major family emergency will just look like you’re making lame excuses.)</p>
<p>That’s good to hear. What exactly would academic probation entail? It shouldn’t really matter if I do really well grade-wise first semester right?</p>
<p>Academic probation means you have to meet with the Dean of Students. You will also have to draw up an ‘action plan’ to improve your grades in conjunction with your academic advisor. Your action plan may require you to attend mandatory counseling and/or tutoring sessions. A letter of notification will sent to your parents stating that you’ve been placed on academic probation.</p>
<p>If your next semester GPA fall below 2.0 once you’ve been place on probation, you can be academically dismissed.</p>
<p>Probationary status means any department can refuse to accept you as a major or minor. But since you can’t declare a major or minor until sophomore year, that doesn’t affect you.</p>