How much can a community college transcript hurt you?

drbob · 06-16-2008, 11:37 PM

Ok, to make a long story just a little shorter:

I'm enrolled in an entry level Art class at my local community college. I'm doing it in order to fulfill the requirement for an art credit for the CSU, UC system. My first day was today, and the "professor" made it clear that anyone who missed two or more days of class would automatically lose 1 grade point off of their grade for the class. No exceptions. I have already tried talking to him.

I'm going to Boy's State (California) next week and I will be missing exactly two of the class dates, meaning that no matter what the highest grade I can receive in the class is a "B".

How bad does it look to get a "B" in an entry level community college course when I NEED to use it in my college apps (for UC's) in order to fulfill the 'f' curriculum requirement?

I'm a Junior-->Senior, and I'm pretty angry at this community college "professor" who insists on hurting my grade for something that I have no control over.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

hsmomstef · 06-16-2008, 11:42 PM

You do have control over it -- you certainly aren't required to attend Boys State (although it is a great experience). You are telling your professor that you value a short term high school experience more than his class -- and that is probably the truth.

If this if the only way to meet the requirement, you don't have any choice but to take the B.

drbob · 06-16-2008, 11:50 PM

Well I know what my options are, but my question was more along the lines of the repercussions of any decision I make, specifically the "B" on my first college transcript used in a University app.

Boy's State is a very valuable thing to use on an application, not just a short term high school experience. Besides, I think that the amount I value his class should be judged by how well I decide to do in it. If he's so insecure that he feels the need to force people to "value his class" then... I mean come on it's an entry level (100) Art class...

However thank you for your input hsmomstef

Invoyable · 06-16-2008, 11:51 PM

It's not gonna kill you, a B in an art class, hopefully you can have your counselor explain the situation or something.

And I disagree with above, some experiences are valuable and can be worth missing some days of school (although I'm not sure about Boys State since I've never had the experience).

drbob · 06-17-2008, 12:42 PM

I'm worried that a college will look at it and immediately think that I can't deal with even the most basic college level class.

Would a guidance counselor be able to explain the grade to the UC? And would they listen?

ducktape · 06-17-2008, 12:58 PM

I think a guidance counselor would definitely be able to explain this, but make sure they have all the information you just gave us in order to write a full explanation.

Zamzam · 06-17-2008, 01:00 PM

1 grade point as in 4.0->3.0, or 1 grade point as in 97->96? Because the former seems a tad extreme.

drbob · 06-17-2008, 05:26 PM

An entire gradepoint. He basically told me that he would not allow me to receive an "A".

hsmomstef · 06-17-2008, 05:37 PM

How many weeks is the class? How many days a week do you have class? How long is each class?

hsmomstef · 06-17-2008, 05:45 PM

How many weeks is the class? How many days a week do you have class? How long is each class?

FresnoMom · 06-18-2008, 02:08 AM

The prof can set up his class any way he wants to. Many summer school classes are set up this way because of high absentee rate.

A C in a college level class isn't that bad. My son got a C in a CSU Latin class and still got into UCB, UCLA etc. I wouldn't have a GC explain the B. Looks like whining and you want your application to focus on your strengths.