<p>Failing classes is never good, although it’s not a deal killer provided that other grades are strong. “Three or five” failed classes scattered over four years will definitely hurt an applicant, particularly if those are courses related to or in the major. First-year failures are sometimes regarded more generously than failures in junior year. But it all depends on what kind of program you are applying to (PhD or Master’s, top tier or third) and how you have performed since then.</p>