D or incomplete - which is better?

annikabirnbaum
Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:44:39 +0000

You may repeat a class in which you received a “D”, “F”, or “NC” and you will need counselor’s approval before you enroll. After you have successfully repeated the course, your new grade will replace the old grade in your SMC grade point average. The original grade will still appear on your transcript, but will be noted to indicate the course was repeated. If you are requesting a second repeat, you must meet with a counselor to request special consideration. If approved, the first substandard grade will be removed from your GPA, both the second and third grades will be calculated into your GPA. For example, if you earn an “F”, then a “D”, and finally a “B” grade in the same class, only the “F” will be removed from you GPA. Both the “D” and “B” grades would be calculated into your GPA.

If you are repeating a class in which you received a “W” (withdrawal) for the first time, you may re-enroll in that class without obtaining approval from an SMC counselor. Once you have successfully repeated the course, the “W” will not count in the total number of units you have enrolled in at SMC. However, second repeats must be approved by a counselor prior to enrollment, where a student has earned two "W’s, or a “W” and “D” or “F” previously in the same class, only the first two letter grades will be disregarded. However, if you are requesting a third repeat you must meet with a counselor to request special consideration.

You may also repeat a course that you successfully completed, if it has been at least three years since the original course was completed, but need to repeat in order to move to a higher level in that subject. For example, if you received an “A” in Spanish I over three years ago, but now want to continue your Spanish studies and progress higher, you may repeat Spanish 1 again, one time only, with counselor’s approval.

Lastly, you are allowed to repeat some courses more than once. Those courses will appear in the Schedule of Classes with the number of units assigned to them noted like this: (3,3). This indicates you may take this 3-unit class twice. However, some courses are grouped limiting the number of repeats within the group. These courses are generally physical education, music performance, dance performance and applied art classes.

If you have received a “D”, “F” or “NC” in the same class more than once, please make an appointment with a counselor to discuss your next steps, as you may be eligible for academic renewal.