Retaking failed classes--how much does this hurt a transcript? UCB?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
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<p>I posted something similar on the general transfer forum, so sorry if you’ve seen it twice now–but I was recommended to ask here about the UCs, since people here know them rather well. Anyway, my transcript (De Anza College):</p>

<p>FALL 2009
EWRT 1A A
ICS 44 A
MUSI 21 A-
PHTG 7 A</p>

<p>WINTER 2010
EWRT 1B W
MATH 114 P
MUSI 21 C
POLI 1 F
SOC 1 F</p>

<h2>SPRING 2010</h2>

<p>SUMMER 2010
PHIL 2 A+</p>

<p>FALL 2010
ASTR 4 A
ELIT 22 A
SIGN 1 A</p>

<p>GPA: 3.14</p>

<p>WINTER 2011
PSYC 1 (in progress, currently: A)
PSYC 10G (in progress, currently: A)
SPCH 1 (in progress, currently: A)
SIGN 2 (in progress, currently: A)</p>

<p>I have diagnosed depression and anxiety. In winter 2010, my psychiatrist at the time switched me to an old tetracyclic medication that had nasty side effects. I was unable to tolerate it and failed most of my classes. She was unhelpful, so in spring I took a break and found a new more competent doctor. I’ve made an improvement since, obviously. I have every intention of retaking the SOC and POLI classes I failed. I’m registered for SOC next quarter, and I will do POLI in the summer.</p>

<p>I’ve heard UCs have a policy with classes you retake-- will they take the new grade like my CCC, or will the average it…?</p>

<p>I really, really want to stay in the Bay Area, where I live. My parents are pushing for public schools lately… I was basically looking at SJSU, SFSU, and UCSC. I expect those schools will be lenient enough. But I just figured I’d check, what about UC Berkeley? I know they’re competitive. It’s arguably the best public school in the world. Just be honest, should I even bother applying when the time comes?</p>

<p>I believe by then I will finish IGETC, have had 3 years of a CCC, and I’m taking time next quarter for volunteer work, hopefully at a school for the Deaf, or some nonprofit (like greenpeace or planned parenthood). So I plan on stacking up the community service hours. My prospective major is probably psychology, but I could try find maybe a less impacted one to apply to that’s related?</p>

<p>So, just be brutally honest… Would it be waste of time and money to apply? Thanks.</p>

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<p>According to my counselor UCs will take the better grade. So if you get a F, then an A they factor in only the A but the F that doesnt factor into your GPA still shows up on your transcript. If you retake those classes and get an A I’m sure you would be able to get into Berkeley and other UC schools. But psychology is an impacted major so I can’t say for sure.</p>

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<p>To answer your question…Definitely apply. </p>

<p>I am a psych major, had 3 F’s on my transcript, a good upward trend like you, and I got into Berkeley. They UC’s will take the superior grade out of the two you’ll have once you retake the classes you failed. Basically, your GPA is going to skyrocket once you retake those courses.</p>

<p>The only thing I would be concerned about if I was you would be to ensure that I’m completing all the prerequisites, acing all psych classes, and continuing to maintain a 3.8-4.0 GPA every semester from now on. </p>

<p>Helpful Tip:…it’s sort of unethical, but you -can- apply to an easier major to get into within L&S and then switch into psychology at Berkeley after you’ve been admitted. </p>

<p>^^ I don’t make the rules, but I know them in and out, esp for Cal.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice :)</p>

<p>Interesting… If I apply to something else, would I then I’d need to finish pre reqs for psychology AND the easier major I apply to? What if I just got stuck with that major?</p>

<p>May I ask what your gpa looked like after you retook the classes?</p>

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<p>Given you have a medical excuse I don’t think they’d have a reason to reject you. Stop worrying!</p>

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<p>Repeating the course will replace the bad grade. Generally I recommend for students to apply for Academic Renewal just to get the bad grades off the transcript (and in case you don’t end up repeating the same course).</p>

<p>Be sure to briefly explain your medical issues in the Additional Comments; you will also need to put a reason for the education gap in Spring 2010.</p>

<p>You will be fine. Don’t stress.</p>