<p>So I may get a D+ (69.13%) for chem. I am an athlete that has been on a few official/unofficial visits and missed a few quizzes and tests. The tests I have taken but they were not scan tron (unlike the original test everyone else received that most people cheat on...) and were honestly 10x harder. I have talked to this teacher numerous times on the subject of what I can do to bring my grade to a 70 and he said there was nothing. Could I take the quizzes I missed?-no. Can I do extra credit?-no. So tomorrow grades are inputted and I will try one last time and be a pesky little **** until he hopefully rounds me up. I really do believe me taking the "harder tests" is what brought me down in the first place as I have a 100% in the homework and classwork category. That and recently my grandmother has been getting very sick and made several trips to the ER and my parents have been fighting a lot lately (numbed down a bit recently). </p>
<p>Anyways, if I do get a D am I forced to go to a two year (JC)? I applied to the mid-tier UC's and privates like USF, Pepperdine and USD. If I do get the D I plan on retaking the course (obviously) and getting an A (B at the least) but would this be a waste of time? </p>
<p>Will the UCs just reject me flat out (and privates)? Do I send an email to all admin of the colleges I applied to about my D and explaining it (could what I write nullify me getting a D slightly?)</p>
<p>Any tips on what I should say to my teacher tomorrow to help convince him I deserve a 70?</p>
<p>I know I am asking a lot of questions but you college confidentialists should enjoy helping a fellow ccer out =D</p>
<p>Re admissions: A lot depends on your overall record. If you have good grades overall, and solid recommendations, then one D might be excused by the private schools (which have more latitude to exercise judgment than the public schools) especially if they think it’s a ‘one off’ event, you acknowledge responsibility for failing to manage your time correctly, and they can see that it’s not part of a downward trend or further proof that you can’t do college level work. (That is certainly the case you should try to make in your letter.) The public schools are more likely to operate on a strict formula and set of policies and precedents, so if you hit the screen, you may not be able to do anything about it. I would avoid making any excuses - a straight ‘I messed up, I got distracted, I learned from the experience, and it won’t happen again’ is your best story line.</p>
<p>With reference to approaching your teacher, I think that’s over. You’ve already asked to take the missed quizzes or do extra credit and been told ‘no dice.’ I suspect that had you approached your teacher from the start with a frank admission that you screwed up, he or she might, perhaps, have taken pity on you. At this point, I think it’s too late.</p>
<p>I also want to mention that it’s pretty common practice for make-up tests to be harder than the original tests. It prevents people from calling in sick when they are unprepared or otherwise gaming the system. </p>
<p>I’m sorry about your grandmother, and the stress it has generated in your family. I’m sure that’s played a role, but it isn’t likely to get you a break after the fact. In most cases, kids with family emergencies need to approach teachers as soon as it happens if they know that their academics are going to be impacted. It looks like an excuse this long after the fact.</p>
<p>So in the letter to admissions I should write that I simply messed up? And not even mention the other details (I know I know the material, he just won’t let me make up the quizzes…).</p>
<p>Assuming I work out an agreement with the colleges, I must take the class again over summer correct? Is there any way I can take it now online or during the second semester of high school somehow?</p>
<p>“he wouldn’t let me retake” sounds like you are blaming the teacher for a bad grade that resulted when you missed tests and quizzes for reasons you had control over. And on those occasions when you were allowed to do a make up, you didn’t do well. </p>
<p>Like I said, one D isn’t going to force you into junior college. If this is one of many, then the issue is not a single class, but rather a pattern that raises legitimate questions about your college readiness (not your ability, mind you - some people are just late bloomers.)</p>
<p>So, back to your question: Yes, I would send a letter to point out that this was an exceptional situation, assuming it is. Take responsibility and indicate lessons learned (which, from your post, hasn’t actually happened just yet). And no, don’t bother taking it over the summer. (It won’t be a negotiation with admissions. You are in or out.) Retaking the class would make sense only if you were a junior and were allowed to replace the D with a higher grade if you retook the class. It makes no sense as a senior unless you are genuinely interested in this subject and felt badly that you won’t have the background you will need to take higher level courses in this area. Doesn’t sound like the situation here.</p>
<p>So I email admission officers of all the schools I applied to and they will say if I am either in or out? So if I were to still be in, I would not have to take the class over the summer? I can leave it as a D?</p>
<p>Btw this is regular chem (don’t ask). However, all my other grades are As and Bs including my AP and IB classes. I have taken earth science, biology, and physiology although I don’t think it would cover chemistry credit? If that’s the case should I randomly take the AP chem test and see what happens? What should I do?!</p>
<p>So this D isn’t typical of your performance overall. I would send the letter-being very careful not to make it sound like you are blaming the teacher. You will be ‘in or out’ on April 1, when they make the decision for you and everyone else. They aren’t likely to send you a response to your letter. It just goes into your file along with your mid-term grades. The letter goes when your mid-term grades go, so they arrive together. By then, hopefully, you will be able to report that your mid-term grade for second semester is at least a B.</p>
<p>But this is just my opinion. Check other threads where people have pulled a D and see what kind of advice they got. If this were a C, by the way, I would probably suggest ignoring it unless they contact you for an explanation.</p>
<p>Why take the AP chem test? If you had mastered the material but got a D because you didn’t turn in the homework or tested poorly because you were sick that day, then the AP would be a chance to prove that you knew your stuff. You didn’t master the material, so no point in taking the test unless you plan to make up all that lost ground.</p>
<p>I would write a letter to the admissions people. Someone I know got her admissions to a UC rescinded because she got a D so it’s best to be extra careful!</p>
<p>Yes I got the D. Now 2nd semester, I have an A in the class and have kept it through a few quizzes. If I get an A this semester, would that help my chances at all?</p>
<p>I am going to email USD, Pepperdine, and USF about the D. What should I say/include in my letter to seem more reputable and to make it clear it will not happen again? One of these schools is my first choice so it is really important I email the “perfect email”. Thanks</p>
<p>regarding the timing of the email, wouldn’t it be more effective to wait until you can demonstrate improvement… for example, after you receive a mid-semester A or B grade in late March? I’m not sure what the rush is.</p>
<p>I see what you mean ^. That is what my counselor recommended. So do you agree I should not email any of the schools about it and wait it off until my grade improves? I heard for the 3 privates they can do whatever regarding admissions unlike the UCs that do not allow Ds. So would it be in my best interest to keep it a secret, so to speak, for now?</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that all common app schools request a mid year report and it is due towards the end of February. Do you guys think I should email them about the D before hand?</p>
<p>^ because a section is listed on the Common APP website does not mean that a particular University or College actually wants it. Common APP has a place for two teacher recs… that does not mean every school requires two teacher tecs.</p>