Hi everyone, I have a bit of a problem. I’m an anthro major hoping to transfer to UCLA or USC. I have a 3.9-ish GPA (I think 3.93), and I’m doing terribly in my college algebra class after a heart-related health scare. I fell so behind in that class that a C is pretty much the highest grade I can get now. Would USC or UCLA (especially UCLA) look down on me for taking the W? It would be my first one. I took stats last year and received a B, so I do have the transferable math covered; I just wanted to take more math, but I have no idea if it was necessary.
Thanks for any advice guys.
Hi Zetta,
I hope you are well in health. If the class isn’t a Prereq, I don’t think getting a C should be a problem, though I may be wrong. Either way, you should contact UCLA and USC and let them know you had a health problem and that you may or may not pass you math class. Ask them if they would advise dropping the class (and possibly retaking in summer) or aiming for the C, for the best chance of acceptance.
UCLA wants the the BEST students. Best students may not get good grades during a concerned medical situation, but they definitely make right decisions, especially after a serious medical ordeal. Call them up and tell them you want to make the right decision.
They base their admissions off of Fall grades (and maybe TAU) so you could just as easily not talk to them and possibly get accepted, but the fact that you consult with them now before acceptance decisions - shows you mean business and that you are a dedicated applicant which should be the type of student they admit to there school.
I would call the universities and ask. We can only give you speculation.
Don’t call, don’t do anything. Get a C at minimum. I have yet to see anyone accepted who got rescinded with a C. Cs were rampant last year last term after acceptances, even with 4.0s. No one got rescinded. Once they’ve gone to all the trouble to accept you, it’s not worth it to backpedal unless, obviously, you have a D, or something more serious.
If you choose a W, assuming this is not a pre-req, it will be ok, too. But of the two, I’d choose a C. Your GPA is not transferring with you to the UC so you might as well get the subject credit.
In my mind anyway, there are times and situations when you don’t contact them anymore. This is one of them. You’re a shoe-in. Don’t call with something to take away the shine. Both are minor issues. You will not get rescinded over either.
At the point you get accepted, that is when you tell them about the class and your health scare. Their response will be OK, that’s fine.
Of course, this is just my opinion on how I would do it. Others may have other suggestions. 
Just make sure you don’t get below a C.
Thanks for all of the advice guys. I’m going to stick with the class a little longer, but I have to admit that I am leaning toward dropping the class because even the C might be a reach.
I have another question if anyone can answer. I was taking two fast-paced 10 week anthro courses (another reason why I fell behind in math; I had tried to focus on my major prep more). I had asked on the UCLA 2015 forum and I remember lindy saying that UCLA wouldn’t consider the grades when calculating my GPA, but that they might give them a look before decisions. How do I let UCLA know? I know for one course, I’ll have the grade by April 3rd (I’ve had this professor before and she always posts grades incredibly fast) and that it’s going to be an A. Do I use the TAU? Do I email them an unofficial transcript showing them the grade?
Thanks again.
I believe they will not look at TAU after March, and even before then they may or may not look. Send them an email through your portal. If you aren’t sure you can definitely get a C in the other course, I would say don’t chance it. They do give exceptions to the conditions, I’ve seen ppl fail their conditions but are still left in, with req to be completed. Based on your situation and GPA, a C- or D may be excused for that math class, but that is a huge risk I wouldn’t recommend anyone taking, if it can be avoided.
If this is your only transferable math class, then DO NOT DROP! You will get rescinded at a UC for not completing the math requirement. Get the C. As Lindy said, they will not rescind you for a C.
There’s nothing wrong with a C if it’s your last semester at CC.
I do have stats completed, so I have a transferable math course. I was just disappointed that I got a B in it and wanted to make it seem like I could do better with a more difficult course. Unfortunately, this is looking unlikely as I’ve already received D’s for our first two exams, so things are really not looking too hot.
If you don’t need it and you’re getting D’s, drop it. You won’t get rescinded.
^^^Agreed. Assuming of course you will still have your 60 units completed.