Should I retake a college class if I end with a C

Graduate School
1

Hello, my name is Mackenzie Mitchell and I currently attend Northern Arizona University as an undergraduate.

I am hoping to apply to elite graduate programs in the future. I currently double major in Geology with an emphasis in Geophysics and Modern Languages with an emphasis in Spanish. I am also double minoring in Astronomy and Physics to further create a career in the planetary sciences. I am also an honors student as well as a member of a program known as an interdisciplinary global program where I will be interning in a spanish speaking country for an entire academic year. As well as already assisting on major research within my university regarding the planetary field.

My question is if I should retake a C I just recently got as a final grade in my Calculus I class? I am very motivated into hopefully being a part of a elite graduate program such as Harvard due to their amazing resources for the planetary sciences. Although I know I am a student who has quite a lot on their plate and understands how to apply concepts well through research. It always seems that my math grades do not meet the standards in which I place for myself. I work hard in math but I do not want a C to be a factor that shows me as less of a candidate than another individual.

I would be thankful for any sort of response. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

2

Eh. One C won’t tank your application. Calculus I is important, but as long as you do well in your future classes, I wouldn’t necessarily advise a retake.

If you had gotten a D, I would encourage it more, but for a C it’s really a toss-up. It would probably be better for you to take higher-level classes and demonstrate that you can perform well in those.

3

Is retaking a ‘C’ for grade replacement even an option?

The question is do you know the material? Can you handle Calc 2 or will you struggle with concepts? If you need more help, perhaps get a tutor. Did you get the C because you are stretched too thin? Are you taking 18 credits to get in all the minors and double majors? Better to do well in one major than okay in three.

4

Such top programs are extremely quant-heavy, at least thru multi-variable calc, and 2-3 courses in physics (calc-based). So the issue is whether you can ace the next classes in sequence. If your understanding is really only a C-level, then retaking probably makes sense.

To add to teh above question, IMO, until you can ace your major prerequisite STEM courses, I’d cut back on double/minors.

5
  1. Does your school offer a replacement policy for a C? Many do not.
  2. If you school does allow, is the original grade removed from your transcript? Some schools, allow retakes but keep both grades on the transcript. They may only use the retake for “internal” GPA calculations. But Grad schools would still see the original grade.