Grade Substitution: Read THOROUGHLY before posting

College Life
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<p>I go to one of the top 5 engineering schools in this country. But I’m not the best student at the moment.</p>

<p>Basically, I made two D’s my first year (which was last year). Yes, D’s are considered passing for the two courses I made them in; I received credit for those courses. However, my school has a grade substitution option for those that make D’s or fail a course during their first year.</p>

<p>This isn’t a black and white thing. Grade substitution is almost always recommended, and it was by my former academic adviser. I did the math and calculated my GPA that incorporates the grade substitution policies. Then I calculated what my cumulative GPA would be at graduation with realistic future grades for both ways: with the grade substitutions of the two D’s and without it. The difference was very small. Even if I don’t do grade substitution, I can realistically pull up to a respectable GPA by the time I graduate.</p>

<p>To be honest, I really don’t want to do grade substitution because I don’t want to be vividly reminded of all of the unpleasant things that I was going through this time last year, and sitting through the same lectures and relearning the same material would pull me back into the past, make me dwell on issues I had this time last year, and bring me back down emotionally. </p>

<p>Because the differences in my long-term GPA are very small, I feel that it’s best for me to just move on. I understood what I did incorrectly last year and learned a lot about what to do, along with what not to do. I’m in a much better place emotionally right now, and don’t want to spend my time correcting something that would make a tiny difference on paper but would most likely draw me back into the emotional state I worked so hard to get out of. </p>

<p>You could say, “**** happens to everyone. Get over it, man up, and retake those courses. You’re lucky to be getting any kind of second chance and you can actually change the past. So do it.” I realize that when faculty members write me recommendation letters and when job interviewers look at my transcript in the future and see the two D’s from my freshman year, it won’t be the best thing in the world. But it won’t be the end of the world, either.</p>

<p>Like I mentioned earlier, it is very realistic for me for me to earn a respectable cumulative GPA by the time I graduate. I’m doing a lot better so far this semester, and I really don’t want to be dragged back down by vivid memories of last year.</p>

<p>Please don’t be inconsiderate and please do realize that you never know the full story behind what someone went through and think, “Oh, it can’t be all that bad. Just retake the damn courses and stop *****ing.”</p>

<p>But what do you guys think? Please share your thoughts on my case, and even your own cases.</p>

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<p>Are either of those courses prerequisites for upper level classes?</p>

<p>Does the department require a certain grade in the lower level classes in order to register for the next level class? (Many require a C or better, for example.)</p>

<p>If not, and if you don’t mind having those grades on the transcript (and explaining why they are there, since apparently your school offers do-overs), then move on. I take you at your word that you can avoid similar problems in the future and that your grades will, in fact, improve. </p>

<p>But if reviewing academic material already studied is likely to “vividly remind” you of “unpleasant things” and “bring [you] back down emotionally” then perhaps you should take additional steps such as seeking counseling. Frankly, most people don’t have such intense reactions to course content. What if your sophomore level class touches on some of the same material? Will you be able to handle it emotionally, or will it send you into a tailspin?</p>

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<p>No offense intended, but grow a spine! So what, you get burned by classes…it happens. But that doesn’t mean you should run and hide under your bed because of it.</p>

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<p>With a few rare exceptions, employers aren’t going to be looking at your transcript with a microscope. 99% of the time they only ask for them (if at all) to make sure you actually graduated with the gpa you said you had. They especially aren’t going to be looking at the freshman section of it. Junior/Senior years is way more heavily weighted in importance.</p>

<p>Another problem is that early grades count way more for your GPA than later grades. So when you’re looking for an internship or something junior year, you’ll be in trouble. I’d retake the classes…you’ll be AMAZED at how easy they are the second time around.</p>