I just got a really bad grade on my business midterm, and now, the highest I can get in the class is a solid B (most likely a B-). I could not take the final, making my grade a D-, and retake the class. I’m assuming I’ll get an A when I retake it.
I want to transfer to UC Berk or NYU for their business program, and I was wondering which would be worse for me. Getting a B- in a major class, or getting a D-, then retaking it and getting an A? Other than this, I’ve consistently gotten A’s and A-'s in all my other classes. Please help! Thank you.
I don’t see much of a point in retaking the class to avoid getting a B.
it’ll likely be a B-, and the accepted GPA for transfers is extremely high for the schools I’ve listed 
Yes, but is it useful in any practical sense to retake it? Do you feel that your knowledge of the material in the class is lacking at all? I think it would be much wiser to use that time to take another course that you need for your degree. Believe it or not, a B- is an excellent grade, despite how things are often made to seem here on CC. If your application to any of these schools is denied, it isn’t likely to be due to getting a B- in a course.
Not including this semester, what is your cumulative GPA? How many credits are you taking this semester? What grades do you anticipate for your other courses this semester?
I am actually trying to transfer to NYU Stern too. I emailed them and the GPA from last year’s transfer was 3.9 to 4.0. Stern is ridiculously stronger than other colleges in NYU. Last year the GPA of transferred student who got in CAS (arts and science) was 3.6-3.7. So I would say do whatever you can do to get a higher GPA. Business school is hard on stats
Frankly, they will not just look at the overall GPA but they will see the D- and ding you for that. It is never a good idea to do something like this. If you can take a W that might be a bit different but it will still be noticed on the transcript.
It’s too late to take a W, but is it really bad to have that D- if I could make it up with an A? I don’t know what schools value more, the transcript or the GPA. The difference a B- and an A is .07 points on my GPA, so a 3.73 or a 3.8 overall. It seems like a huge gap, especially as yoyo mentioned – the GPA for transfer students is expected to be high. And, this is a major class, I don’t want them to think I can’t get an A in a major class.
As to comfortablycurt’s questions, I have a 3.7, I’m anticipating 2 A-'s and an A this quarter, & I’m taking four classes right now.
Let’s look at an analogy. Suppose you go to McDonald’s and order a sandwich. Which of these two situations seems better?
A. You receive the wrong sandwich, and then have to go back to the counter and wait while they remake the sandwich.
B. You receive the correct sandwich. Although it doesn’t look like the commercial by any means, it is made correctly and tastes just fine.
I’d prefer option B. I imagine that most McDonald’s managers would too.
Taking a D- (receiving the wrong sandwich) and then having to retake it for an A (waiting for the correct sandwich) is a much longer process, and ultimately looks worse. And don’t forget there’s always the chance that you still won’t get an A the next time around. Seriously, a B- is a good grade.