UCB Transfer, family emergency, lost chance for graduate school?

Graduate School
1

Hi all,

I am UC-to-UC transfer student from UCSC to UCB majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. My first semester in UCB, I had a family emergency that severely affected my academic performance. I was able to petition my major classes P/NP, but there is a strong possibility I will be receiving NPs in my major courses. I will be retaking them for a letter grade next semester, but would like to know if my future goals will be still be attainable. I plan on applying to graduate school for biotechnology, and ultimately having a career in this field. However, with this huge set back my first semester at Berkeley, will my application for graduate school be weakened?

I have provided proof of travel and doctor’s notes to UCB, and plan on providing it on my graduate application as well to explain the discrepancy in my grades this semester.

My greatest fear is that my application will reflect a “I made it and don’t need to try anymore” mentality upon my transfer to Berkeley. (My GPA in UCSC never fell below 3.8).

All advice and feedback are greatly appreciated.

2

It will be weakened, of course, but that doesn’t mean that all your dreams are shattered. You can just briefly explain the family emergency caused a tank in your grades, but then point to the upward trend in your grades after that as better evidence of your potential (and point out that prior to that, too, you have excellent grades). There’s no need to provide travel and doctor’s notes. You only have to explain it briefly. having a recommender who is familiar with your situation mention it in their letter, too, is useful.

FWIW I had a semester like that in graduate school, and I finished my PhD over a year ago from a top 10 program in my field. Nobodys’ perfect.