UC Help PLEASE! Repeat a D or settle for C?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I've been a lurker for some time now, reading everyone's transfer journey. I'll be honest I decided to make an account because I just found myself in a dilemma and was wondering if you guys could give me a lending hand. Well I'll be as brief as possible, so here it goes:</p>

<p>I applied to the UC's for Fall 2006 as a Biology major. Only applied to Cal and LA (only appealing schools). Current GPA: 3.54 (I know...chances are low with that GPA). IGETC completed. </p>

<p>Already completed major courses: </p>

<p>Gen Chem 1
Gen Chem 2. </p>

<p>For this current (Fall '05) semester I am taking:</p>

<p>Calc 1 (5 units)
Biol 1 (4 units)
O-Chem 1 (5 units)</p>

<p>Planned (Spring '06) semester course load:</p>

<p>Calc 2
Biol 2
O-Chem 2</p>

<p>Everything was going well: GPA was average but I was going to finish all my lower division major courses before I would transfer (if admitted). </p>

<p>Personally for me this Fall semester was a tough load since all of these 3 major courses were relatively new to me, so I had a lot of new material to absorb. All I have are finals left and my current up to date grades are...</p>

<p>Calc 1 - A
Biol 1 - A
O-Chem 1 - C</p>

<p>I just took my last O-Chem midterm last week and thought I did well, but found out that I screwed up REAL bad. I needed that midterm to secure my "B" in the class, but it dropped me all the way to a near low "C." I basically need a 100% on the final to get a "B" in O-Chem. So I pretty much know I'll be getting a "C" now. I'm freaking out! I don't know what to do. This "C" will ruin my already "not-so-stellar" GPA. Here's where I could GREATLY use all your advice on this idea (probably CRAZY idea) I have. I am actually considerring dropping my grade low enough to a "D" so that I would be able to retake the course in the spring and definitely recieve and "A" this time, since you cannot repeat a "C." Is this a smart idea? If I choose this path, that means I will not be able to finish Organic Chemistry 2 in the spring semester since I will be retaking Org Chem 1 in its stead. Will this kill my chances completely? Is finishing a year of organic chemistry absolutely crucial to being admitted as a bio major? Can I be admitted as a Bio major with just one semester of O-Chem 1?</p>

<p>So it has come down to two things...</p>

<p>Settle with the "C" in o-chem 1, continue with my original plan, completing all my major courses, and hope the UC's will take me...despite my "C" and my lower GPA. </p>

<p>AFTERMATH GPA: 3.48 (Permanent)</p>

<p>OR</p>

<p>Get a "D" in org chem 1, repeat it and earn a "A," raising my GPA, and hope the UC's will take me...but at the cost of missing one lower division major requirement (Org Chem 2). </p>

<p>AFTERMATH GPA: 3.39 (Includes the "D" BUT I'll be able to make up that "D" and turn it into an "A" increasing my GPA.)</p>

<p>...so which one do you all think is a better route to having a better chance of being admitted to the UC?</p>

<p>I'm also trying to look at it in long term, like maybe I didn't absorb enough material in org chem 1 and that if I continue to org chem 2, I won't be able to perform well in that class either and receive yet another potential "C"! So maybe retaking it is a good idea. Also if I decide to go to med school...you think it's better stick with a "C" in o-chem? Or get a "D" and repeat and earn an "A" raising the GPA would be better to being admitted into med school? Average med school gpa is like 3.6~ or soemthing. </p>

<p>I apologize for this being so long. I know I said I'd be brief, but it's hard to give advice if you do not hear the whole story. If you all could send any, I MEAN ANY, advice over this way, I would appreciate it so much. Thank you all for reading this post...thanks again.</p>

2

<p>Well, I can't speak for the particulars of the biology major, but I can mention something about the GPA.</p>

<p>The medschool will look at all your grades; they may not necessarily "erase" the D. And the UC adcoms will not get to see your spring grades. I suggest you try to get whatever leniency is possible from the professor (explain your transfer goals) and work really hard on the final.</p>

<p>It's possible that taking the next chem class will be more important also. Otherwise they just see you are retaking the class you got a D without even knowing you will receive a better grade in it.</p>

3

<p>First off, I hope you're not trying to get into Cal and UCLA with just your 3.48 GPA. Getting into the top UC's with GPA alone would require at least 3.8. However, if you're an all around student with the community service, leadership, volunteer work, and TAP, getting a C this semester will not hurt. Many UCLA advisors told me that just a 4.0 isn't success, its the experience and awareness of the community along with a good GPA is what they look for. If you don't have any other ECs supporting you, then you might have to get the B in that O-Chem class to get you in.</p>

<p>In short, in order for one to evaluate you thoroughly, post your stats!</p>

4

<p>3.5 has a decent chance at ucla imo. not guaranteed by any means... but pretty good shot even w/ out tap/</p>

5

<p>The average GPA of admits to UCLA with biology was 3.60 for Fall '05.</p>

<p>I suggest you add UCs to your UC application. It's not a good move to just apply to UCLA and Berkeley. They are all good schools--you should at least give the others a chance.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/afterapply.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/afterapply.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

6

<p>Yuri, the life scienes are highly selective. I doubt a 3.5 with no ECs would get admitted.</p>

7

<p>Personally, I would not dropped the class. It is much better to have a C than D on your transcript. Take the next class in the Spring earn your A. Tthis will be the best thing for you to do.</p>

8

<p>Would having a D or F on your transcript and then replacing it with an A hurt you that bad?</p>

9

<p>I am in the same situation with my calculus class. The academic dean told me to not drop it and get a WF because it is no better especially if you are transferring.</p>

10

<p>It will hurt you because the adcoms will probably never get to see the A at this point.</p>

11

<p>I don't have any advice for you -- I agree it's a tough situation, and I can see the merits and disadvantages to both sides -- but I had to latch onto your "crazy" idea.</p>

<p>The thought has occurred to me more than once. If a C- is "acceptable" and a D is "failing" and therefore may be retaken, why in the world would someone settle for a C-? That's some crazy vagary of the grading system, lemme tell you, and it says NOTHING about the student other than that the student is capable of gaming the grading system. This all makes sense to me, but it's 1 am and I'm tired. ;)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>