<p>I’m currently at UCSC and hoping to eventually transfer to UCB, and I’m taking my current math class (Math 3) pass/no pass, just because I have a really heavy course load and math is my weakest subject.</p>
<p>Assuming I pass, will the pass/no pass mark look bad to Berkeley? I had a 3.8 GPA first quarter, and I’m aiming for a 4.0 this time so taking it with a grade probably would have brought down my GPA. But will I look lazy?</p>
<p>Because gpa (by itself, with no other relating factors) is so much hyped on these boards, people end up with the impression that this one “number” decides who gets in and who does not. This is a complete and total fallacy.</p>
<p>Colleges are not fools. The RIGOR of your curriculum COMBINED WITH the gpa is what makes you a competitive student when applying, and this is especially true of places like Berkeley. Yes, gpa is very important, but it only makes sense to compare the gpa of 2 students who have taken comparably challenging coursework.</p>
<p>That said however, the answer to your question depends on how related Math is to your major. If it is COMPLETELY unrelated (say you are a history major), then I personally don’t think it will make any difference whatsover. On the other hand if you are, for instance, a biology (or even psychology) major, then there is a very good possiblitity they will view that negatively, even though at first glance it might appear that Math may not be connected to your major in any way.</p>
<p>As far as “making you look lazy”, I don’t think this comes into play if Math is not at all related to your major. That’s exactly why you’re not majoring in a math-related field.</p>