Will one 2.0 kill everything?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey, </p>

<p>So I'm currently attending community college, and was hoping to be able to transfer either to Michigan State University or the University of Michigan for Fall 2013. My CC grades up until this point have basically been flawless, though that isn't saying much - I had one semester's worth of 4.0s, and then everything sort of imploded over Spring. That's not to say that I did particularly awfully. I took four courses for 13 credits total, 4.0ed two classes, received a 3.5 in another, and then a 2.0 in a relatively low-level math class. </p>

<p>I'm actually fairly good at math, but had stopped showing up and studying except on exam days. I'd strongly prefer not to retake it, as I don't believe the course would transfer for credit at either school. That aside, I'm planning on having taken up to Calculus I or II by the time I'm ready to leave community college anyway. Paying for school almost entirely with loans makes me even less enthusiastic to fork over money for something that may or may not even count. </p>

<p>My cumulative GPA now is a 3.7, and that should rise to between 3.8 and 3.9 by the time I'm all wrapped up with around sixty credits. It'll likely be 3.82 by the end of Fall 2012 - I'm not very worried about messing up again. I've always had the capability to be a very good student, provided that I simply do my work and occasionally review. </p>

<p>Will one 2.0 be an application killer for, say, UMich, even with a 3.85 cumulative? I have several years of volunteer experience at a hospital, have worked two jobs, sat on the governing board for a student organization at Michigan State University (wasn't attending the school), and more. My extracurriculars are all pretty strong, so I'm not worried about that. </p>

<p>My ACT composite was only 28, though I did receive 35s in Reading and English. My math score was dismal, and threw it all off - I plan on retaking the test. </p>

<p>Part of my problem is that I don't really have to try with all of my classes, except for math. Even then, I'm fine if I just do my work and everything, but have an awfully hard time motivating myself. Reality has checked in, however, and I want to keep everything going strong so I can leave Lansing and attend at least a fairly respectable school before applying to graduate programs.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help, and apologies for the long post.</p>

2

<p>I might just save some of my refund money and retake the 2.0 math class next summer, as that’ll bump my potential GPA from a 3.82 to a 3.968. Will that matter much, or will colleges still frown on the 2.0 on the transcript? I know that only my final grade in a retaken course is counted towards my cumulative GPA, but everything still shows on the transcript.</p>

3

<p>I can’t answer for Michigan State, but I was admitted to (and will be attending) Michigan for fall of 2012 and I had two C’s (Japanese, Calc III) and one D (Calc II) on my transcript. Keep in mind, the 2.0 and 1.0 happened in my very first semester, and I was able to write away both (re-took Calc II and got an A, proceeded through the next three courses of Japanese and got A’s in all). The impact of the Calc III may have been less severe since I received A’s in Linear Algebra and Differential Equations.</p>

<p>Michigan seems to emphasize two main points when it comes to grades: 1) Upward trend in grades and 2) The more credits, the better. They take into consideration when you took the class (a D in the semester you are transferring hurts more than a D you got 10 years ago). Also, they consider how rigorous the class is as well. Sure, some classes at community college can be a breeze, but some can be extremely challenging and Michigan will realize that.</p>

<p>So, to sum that up, I think you’ll have no issue being admitted. Perhaps highlight the reason why you obtained a 2.0 in your application and show some regret for doing so. Essentially, prove that it will not be an ongoing issue. I don’t even think you should re-take the class. However, when you do take the next math class, really strive to get that A. When you do, you can highlight that fact in your application. Hope that was slightly helpful!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the response. One of my concerns is that the math class was a low-level course - it’d be fairly obvious that, having 4.0ed everything else for the last several semesters, I exerted absolutely no effort whatsoever in attaining a grade. Still, I appreciate the feedback. I’ll probably decide whether or not to retake it next summer (I think I’ll wind up applying either then or in spring), depending on where my GPA seems to be heading. </p>

<p>I’d have to assume that Michigan State’s admissions process is much less rigorous than the University of Michigan’s. One of my friends was recently admitted to MSU with a 3.6, and was told by an officer that they’d likely have no trouble getting in with their GPA and sixty credits. </p>

<p>I was also considering applying to Cornell, which is another reason I’m concerned about that 2.0. I’ve seen some people on here with dreadful grades who were allegedly accepted, but I’m still worried that I’ve made a fool of myself. I did miserably my first three years in high school and have some unfortunate legal and pre-college disciplinary baggage. Oh, the things you wish you could change. =&lt;/p>

5

<p>So you go to LCC. What Math Class did you get a C in? </p>

<p>Here are the math classes that LCC offers that transfer to UMich and the UMich equivalent. </p>

<p>Mathematical and Symbolic Analysis:
LCC UMich
MATH 122 College Algebra II and Trig MATH 105
MATH 126 College Algebra and Trig MATH 105
MATH 151 Calculus I MATH 115
MATH 152 Calculus II MATH 116
MATH 253 Calculus III MATH 215
MATH 254 Intro: Differential Equations MATH 216</p>

<p>Perhaps you had found that already perhaps not. Technically Michigan says that to be a competitive transfer applicant you should have a 3.75 GPA or above with 60 credits. </p>

<p>I hate to be a downer, but you said that your ACT math was bad, but that you are good at math, yet your first semester math class you got a C, not to mention that you have to take a placement test at LCC for math. So perhaps you should go back, take the class again, apply yourself, get a higher grade, then move to the next math class. I once had a math prof who said that unless you mastered the previous course material you would have to work even harder in the next class. </p>

<p>Finally, just because you can coast through classes at LCC, does not mean that you will be able to coast through classes at Michigan, perhaps some, but unless you set for yourself a good example you will continue to attempt to coast, and your GPA will suffer. If you plan on going to Michigan, Michigan State, or Cornell you really need to be going to class, treating it like its a job with no sick days or at the most one or two even when you do not like the class. </p>

<p>Plus what does a 4 credit class at LCC cost $80 for in district, so $320 for a 4 credit class?</p>

6

<p>I 4.0ed by first semester math class, and all those in my senior years of high school. I also did well in my AP Physics course, despite the counselor having to waive me into the class, given that I didn’t meet the prerequisites for math to even take it. </p>

<p>I’m well-aware that classes with be more difficult at whatever university I decide to attend. I crashed several physics, mathematics, and psychology courses at Michigan State University while a high school student, so am aware of at least some of the differences, in terms of coursework and exam detail. </p>

<p>But I’ve decided just to retake my math class this summer, to save time down the road. I’ve never been particularly good with attendance, but am trying to turn that around - I’d like to go to medical school eventually, and realized after the end of last semester that I’ve no room for messing around or slacking off. </p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. Sorry if I came off as being overly-confident when it comes to my abilities at math: if anything, I spent a good portion of my life believing that I was terrible at it. Though I have generally performed better (even with calculus) with it than most of my friends, it’s certainly not my strongest point and not something I’d ever pretend to have a future in.</p>

<p>What you relayed about having to master math material is definitely true. It’s just kind of a hypocrisy I have stowed away in my own mind - I can catch onto most things now without too many problems, why not math? Of course, I’ve found that I actually have to do my homework and everything to succeed with the subject. Old habits die hard, I guess. Still, I’m actively trying to change. I definitely won’t want to regress back to where I was a month or three years ago. </p>

<p>On a side note, I’m an out-of-district student, and am paying for school with loans and grants. I don’t make enough money per year to easily shell out $600 or $700 for a single class. I have subsidized and unsubsidized loans coming in over summer semester, and am still going to have to pay $150 out my own pocket. </p>

<p>Anyway, like I said, I’ll be retaking math in a month or so. That should resolve my GPA problems, if set me back to only being able to up to Calculus I before transferring. At any rate, I suppose it will all be for the better, as you said. </p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>