So I’m really not too sure what to do…
I was admitted to Berkeley as a transfer student as a political economy major in the college of arts and sciences. I cannot believe I got in with a 3.3 and a D in a class last summer. I tried taking it in the fall and got a W and now I’m retaking it in this spring as I told them on my app and I’m doing well. However, it says I must get no grade lower than a C in the winter and spring quarter for any of my courses. I completed all my major classes ERWT 2A with an A-. stats with a B+, and Econ with a B in the winter. However, I took a programming class as an elective and got a D+(69.22 and teacher did not round). Of course, this is NOT a major class, prereq, OR needed for IGETC/breadth requirement. I’m not sure why I took a CS class in the first place…All my major classes were successfully completed and this has nothing to do with my major. I will have IGETC, major prep completed, and 98 units by spring. However, since I got admitted I begged my prof to give me an add code to take the class this quarter and thankfully she did. So we are 4 weeks into the quarter almost and I have 98%. I am retaking the class this quarter which basically allows my community college to replace the GPA point in the winter which would allow me to meet the winter requirement of 3.0(I got a 2.8), However, as long as I do sufficiently in the class this quarter it will replace my GPA and by spring I would meet the 3.0 condition. I am not sure what will happen, however. I am thankful in my position that I am retaking it before spring 2019. Now secondly I told them I would take intro to python this quarter but switched for another course related to my major(still UC-transferable) and will still allow me to meet the unit requirement. Of course, I don’t think this is a huge deal as python is of course not required for political economy so I’m not too worried about that. I am however worried about the D+ even if I do really well in the class by the spring and retake it/replace it I am not sure what they will say. I am first generation and getting into cal has been a dream.
Getting a D+ is not good. Hopefully this retake corrects that issue. However, they may take the previous D into account. That’s two bad grades in a row. No one here can say. The final determination will be UCB admissions.
Make sure you tell them it’s your first CS course and you thought it might make you a stronger student at Cal. Trying to be pro-active, etc.
I got the D in the summer so they saw that grade before admitting me so they clearly didn’t care. However, I definitely agree with you. What I think I have going for me (or what I at least like to think) is 1) it isn’t a major course or prerequisite and all my major courses have been completed, I have IGETC + will have 90+ units, and my major isn’t related to computer science whatsoever. I took the course not to actually make me a stronger applicant but because I thought learning programming would be useful to know. Luckily after the first midterm I got a 97%. Also the class I failed in the summer(which they know about im shocked they admitted me) I am currently retaking and doing pretty well in. 2) I am retaking it before all transcripts are due and it will replace my original gpa grade which allows me to meet their condition of admission (3.0). From what I’ve read if your major isn’t impacted they seem to be less stringent and a lot more strict on STEM/engineering transfers who have to get a grade of B or higher in specific courses. Thank you for your advice! I will work my absolute but off and get a 4.0 this quarter to make sure I am hopefully at cal this fall.
should I update the admissions office before May 10th or after I repeat the course which would be July 1st. I have until July 1st…wouldn’t it be a much stronger case to say “I’m retook the class and got an A” etc. I now meet the requirements.
Update: I spoke to my admissions officer at UCB she told me they’ll take the higher grade and that I should get an A or B in it this quarter at least.
@mathstripos12 great news!