<p>I just found out about this site from a friend so I decided to post my concerns on here..basically im a freshman now at ucsc... i went there because I got a scholarship and I thought I would give this place a shot. I really don't like it here at all. Not tryin to put ucsc down, but its not what i expected it to be. I want to go back to LA possibly transfer to usc as an english major. I have a few concerns though. Due to adjusting to college and a medical problem, I have a No Credit, W, and and F on my transcript (W from last quarter) and F and NC from this quarter. I took a W for a Calculus Class and took it again this quarter and pretty much know I am getting an F because I felt horrible after the final. The NC is for another course that doesn't relate to my major really. I know I have messed up, and I really have been trying to get use to the "college life." Now, my question is, If I apply next year as as a sophomore, and bring up my GPA to a 3.6 at least and apply? Do I have a shot? I know that the F will transfer into my GPA but I will aim for a good trend in my grades. I am taking 10 units this summer too. Has anyone had this sort of situation before and got into usc? Any information or hope will be amazing.</p>
<p>Since you have struggled so much as UCSC, maybe it would be a better idea to return home and regroup at your local community college. I think you may be overestimating the mathmatical possibility of raising your GPA to 3.6 by next January. If you currently have about a 2.0 (you don’t mention your GPA, but with two Fs and two NC in two quarters, I am guessing ~2.0), two additional quarters (this summer and Fall 2011) with a 4.0 performance would only bring you to a 3.0. And given your struggles so far, the 4.0 goal for the next two quarters might be unreasonable.</p>
<p>Two years at a community college near home might give you the support you need to re-build. You will have to submit your UCSC transcripts to all future colleges, but if you have two strong years at a cc since then it will lessen the negative impact. If you do not want to attend a community college, your best course of action is to stay at UCSC - it is unlikely you will be accepted as a transfer to other four year universities with your present record.</p>
<p>Your focus right now should not be on transferring, it should be on improving your present situation. After you have done some rebuilding is the time to consider the next step.</p>
<p>I think there was a misunderstanding. First quarter at UCSC I got one W, took 16 units, GPA 3.8</p>
<p>This quarter, I got a NC, 2 A’s, and 1 F - The W (from Fall quarter) and the F that I got this quarter (are from the same class). The NC was for a stupid GE I had to take.</p>
<p>So, I talked to my counselor, and he said I’d have to take the Calculus class again if I want the F replaced with an A or B. So I’m getting a tutor next quarter. I understand that USC takes the F and whatever grade I get next quarter, and balance it out. So Far, I have taken one English course, and I got a A+. I want to apply for CLAS, English. So I never got two F’s and two NCs…</p>
<p>The NC doesn’t factor into my GPA at UCSC by the way. And I will address my issue in my application. </p>
<p>Alamemom and other CC users- does that clear things up? So I am going to aim for a 4.0 spring quarter and during the summer.</p>
<p>No, if I had that record your advice would be great actually. i just wanted to clear up what my situation is. did you read the last post I wrote?</p>
<p>No one else seems to be offering positive feedback so I’ll offer my thoughts. I’m a usc grad, and have lived with and met a bunch of transfer students.</p>
<p>USC is actually fairly easy to get into as a transfer student, though I use easy in relation to those applying directly from high school. This actually was something I never quite understood- as I knew a bunch of people who didn’t do **** in high school, tried for a year or two at a comm college, and were able to transfer, but that’s another story.</p>
<p>The first step would be to try to remove those Fs…usually they have something like Freshman forgiveness where you can retake, as you said. The next would be to make sure you can get good grades and def no more withdrawals. If you don’t think you can accomplish this at ucsc, then I’d move back home and got to a JC for a year. Also, I’m assuming you were a somewhat proficient high school student, as you got a scholarship to ucsc, so that will help.</p>
<p>I would figure also figure out any requirements necessary for your intended major. Email a counselor from the college of letters and arts, get some information directly. Show interest by visiting, go to an explore usc etc. Also, when applying I would make sure you can address whatever issues you had at ucsc.</p>
<p>Academic forgiveness may be helpful at her current university, but USC will not recognize it. The op already stated she is aware the grades will be calculated in her GPA even when the course is re-taken - she is correct.
<p>Trojanman, thanx for the response. I withdrew the first quarter, maintained a 3.8, but was unsuccessful this quarter w/ Calc. so im getting a tutor, and I am going to aim for a 4.0 spring and summer. Ive decided to take 3 courses over the summer as well which would put me to a 3.7 ( If I get all A’s)</p>
<p>alamemom- so since I got a F, but if I get a A next quarter, what would it calculate to? a 2.0?</p>
<p>Notes from me: As each semester begins, make note of the MOST important date on the registration calendar: The last day to drop without a “W.” Evaluate your progress in your classes before that date and get out if you have to. You don’t want more “Ws.”</p>
<p>In general, admissions reps will look at CR/NC grades in classes where you elect that grading system to be CR=“C,” and NC=“F.” Though those grades are not averaged into your GPA, they impact the way admissions interpret your record. In other words, minimize the number of CR/NC courses if you have transfer hopes. Courses where CR/NC is the only grading option of course are not interpreted that way.</p>
<p>Thank you so much alamemom. Yes I will just show a upward trend in my grades as well. Do you think by taking twelve units in the summer it will show my dedication? And if I can get my GPA to a 3.6 by next year, wouldn’t that look good too?</p>
<p>I think showing an upward trend will be more important than taking a lot of units - It would be better to take fewer units and do very well in them rather than taking a bunch of units and finding you have to take another “W” if it turns out to be too much.</p>
<p>In terms of transferring, community college units are just as valuable as UCSC units - possibly more so because USC has *articulation agreements *with most LA-area community colleges, and only an *articulation history *with UCSC. So it might be a good idea to head home for the summer, save some money, and take those summer units at a local cc.</p>
<p>Okay thank you for your advice. From this point on, I will show an upward trend. Also, when USC says “take a full course load” would that be 12-16 units?</p>