screwed for UCLA from the start?

<p>hi all, I'm a biology major at a CCC in hopes of transferring to UCLA. So here's my situation. My very first semester, there was a medical emergency with my father so I ended up doing less than what I had hoped. I had to skip many classes, and had to cut down on time to study to help with the rest of the family. That semester I got 2 B's and 1 D. Unfortunately for me the 1 D was a pre-req for my major (General Chemistry 1). </p>

<p>I managed to retake the class and got an A. I also managed to get straight A's for the rest of my college career before applying. My GPA now is 3.88 (not including winter and Spring grades). So i guess my question is getting that D in a pre-req mess up my chances big time? Also do the number of units transferred matter at all in the admissions? I have well over 60 but less than the average amount for my major that are accepted to UCLA (according to the UCLA transfer stats)</p>

<p>I am also in my school's honor's program which makes part of TAP</p>

<p>Much help appreciated.</p>

<p>no you should be fine since you retook the bio class the only grade that the U.C’s will see is the retaken A and3.88 should give you a good chance at getting in with tap</p>

<p>wait. Doesn’t the D still show up on my transcript though?</p>

<p>^ it does, but atleast u retook the class and got an A</p>

<p>From what I understand the D will definitely still show up on your transcripts… but they won’t see those transcripts until after you’ve been admitted right? They use them to check whether the information you provided was correct, and will boot you if it wasn’t.</p>

<p>They’ll be judging you based on your SAR, in which you put an “A” for your prereq.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure this is how they do it… although I could be wrong. If I were them I would ask for official transcripts along with the first application, but who knows?</p>

<p>When you apply, you report ALL grades, so they WILL see the D.</p>

<p>Even if you apply for academic renewal, which you can’t do until at least one academic year later, you report the grade as an academic renewal and they will evaluate you as such.</p>

<p>All colleges and universities have to honor an academic renewal as long as it’s been approved by a community college.</p>

<p>When you fill out your application, you list whatever the current grade is. If you got a D, oh well, list it. They’ll look at the A you got later and take note that you improved your grade.</p>

<p>When you apply, talk about that semester. It’s a good tear jerker to let them know the struggle you faced and how, despite your adversity, you managed to persevere and still pull two B’s and raise your GPA later. </p>

<p>If you wait for academic renewal, don’t worry about it too much because they honor that. If not, I still think your chances are okay as long as you remain diligent from this day forward. If you get an A in organic chemistry 1 & 2, A’s in calculus, I doubt they’d disparage you when your grades improved in harder classes. </p>

<p>Universities like to see that.</p>

<p>oh okay. Thank you very much for the responses you guys.</p>

<p>You should be just fine! I saw a TRANSFER FLYER from UCLA regarding “further insights on gpa evaluation” (I think it was posted at a CC website) that asks the rhetorical question: Did you have ONE BAD SEMESTER?? Since you’ve done very well in your subsequent semesters, PLAY to this concession that UCLA affords!! As was said above, this definitely makes for a good “how you overcame adversity” story. Explain WELL what happened. Since you got an “A” in that subject it will make perfect sense to them!</p>

<p>whew. I feel a little bit relieved. thank you</p>

<p>yea, you still have a chance, just do better in your classes from now on</p>

<p>ur fine for transfer admissions, but if you’re planning to go on to med school, thats gonna kill u…</p>

<p>^ true true</p>

<p>The D does not count towards your GPA since you retook the class and got a passing grade. You dont have to do academic renewal. From my understanding if you do not receive a passing grade (D or F) you can retake the class and whatever grade you receive is the one that is factored into your GPA (as long as it is passing, C or better). I received a D in a math class retook it got an A and the D is on my transcript but not factored into my GPA. I also wrote in my essays about why I got the D because of unusual circumstances. If you show consistency and an overall increase in GPA you will be fine.</p>

<p>Personally, I would care less on what admissions/people think about CC students. </p>

<p>Here is how to stick it in their face:

  1. Go to an acceptable med school
  2. Become a surgeon
  3. Start your own business
    4)$$$
  4. Profit</p>

<p>Here, this shows the difference in academic renewal and just retaking the class for a better grade. For the look of it academic renewal voids the bad classes all together vs. retaking the class and using the new grade in your GPA.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/632741-what-academic-renewal.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/uc-transfers/632741-what-academic-renewal.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Also, please do not be delusional in thinking that you will get into Harvard, Yale, etc. You do not have to go to these schools to be successful. Sure, it is admirable to work towards theses schools, but it is not necessary! I mean, I cannot stand idiots at my CC who have the IQ of a crackhead talking about transferring/going to Yale/Harvard.</p>

<p>I thought MD med schools average the two grades and DO med schools replaces it?</p>