We have been asked the question “If I get a D grade in Freshman year, does that mean I can’t go to a UC?”
Here’s the good news: YOU CAN STILL GO TO A UC!! So exhale, take your hand off the panic button and let that sink in.
(Prefer a video instead? Check out our Senior College Admissions Counselor Zach’s advice HERE)
But before we talk about how to fix the D, I want you to dig deep and ask yourself why you got a D in the first place, especially if this is in freshman year. School only gets harder, and it’s only going to get harder in college.
Perhaps you took a class that was way too hard for you in the first place, which is a common reason why someone might get a D. If that’s not why you got the D, then you really need to consider the behaviors and influences in your life may have led to this outcome. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE??? These are deep questions, but important ones to consider so that you can be sure not to repeat the same mistake again.
Ok, so let’s assume you answered those deep existential questions, how do you “fix” the D? Now, know that you DO need to retake the class. A D is NOT considered a passing grade to colleges. This is a little confusing because sometimes my students will hear that either the class is not required for college and they, therefore, do not need to retake it, or that D is considered a “passing” grade.
For your high school, a D is passing. You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class.
You need to find a way to retake the class either over the summer or online or by repeating the class in school. Ideally, you want to take the EXACT same class to be sure that colleges will consider this class an adequate replacement for the class you failed. Be sure to verify in writing with a counselor at your school to confirm that the class you are signing up for will qualify as a replacement.
On your college applications, you will have space to address this grade and discuss what you learned from it and how this experience made you a better student. Which is WHY you cannot skip asking yourself those deep questions of why you got the D in the first place.Retaking the class shows colleges that you care about learning and that you’re trying to fix your mistake, and discussing what you learned from the experience is a very important message to address in your college apps.
All the best,
Team Insight
FAQs
Yes, it is possible to get into a UC school with a 'D' on your transcript, but it will certainly be more challenging. The UC system generally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for out-of-state/international students.
Can you get into a UC with one D? ›
A grade of D (including plus/minus) in a transferable course will count toward the number of transferable units you have completed. However, you must earn a grade of C or better when completing the seven-course pattern. And, in most cases, grades of D do not satisfy major or general education requirements.
Do colleges accept D grades? ›
You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class.
Is a D a passing grade in college? ›
At most schools, a D is the lowest passing grade. That means students who earn a D or higher receive credit for the course.
How do I get rid of D on my transcript? ›
As far as I understand, you cannot remove a D from your transcript. However, you could possibly retake the class and try to gain a higher grade. Yet, the D remains as part of your GPA (Grade Point Average). Just talk to your advisor for details.
What will a D do to my GPA? ›
GPA Impact: One D will indeed lower your GPA, but the effect depends on the number of classes you've taken and the grades you've received in the other courses.
Will one D hurt my GPA? ›
As a rule of thumb, one bad grade won't tank your chances in most places, though a D might substantially lower your GPA because it's adding such a low number to the average.
Is a D passing at UCLA? ›
A grade of C or better is required to earn a Passed; a C- or below will earn a Not Passed grade.
What is the lowest GPA a UC will accept? ›
UC has a specific way to calculate the grade point average (GPA) it requires for admission. California applicants must earn at least a 3.0 GPA and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA in all A-G or college-preparatory courses to meet this requirement.
Can I retake a class if I got ad? ›
All attempts of a course will show up on your official transcript. You may repeat a course only if you received a grade of D+, D, D-, F, or no pass (NP) in your first attempt of the course. You can only repeat a course one time to replace a grade.
If the class you failed is in a subject that is not directly related to your intended major or career path, it probably will have less of an impact. On the flip side, failing a class that is extremely important to what you plan on studying has far more of an impact on your overall application.
Is D considered a bad grade? ›
B+, B, B- indicates good performance. C+, C, C- indicates satisfactory performance. D+, D, D- indicates less than satisfactory performance. F indicates unsatisfactory performance (no credit: always include last date of attendance).
Is a D+ still passing? ›
Grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- indicate passing grades; F indicates failure.
Is a D passing at UCI? ›
To receive a "P" for Pass and to get credit/units, you must earn a grade of "C-" or better. However, if a course is taken for a letter grade, the minimum grade needed for credit would be at least a "D-" in most courses.
Do UCS accept D's in AP classes? ›
If you receive a D or F in an AP course, you need to repeat the AP course or take a community college course to replace the bad grade. You may hear about the 8-semester capped GPA and wonder why you should bother taking more than 4 Honors/AP courses. The capped GPA is used to determine UC eligibility only.
What happens if you have one D on your transcript? ›
Your D grade will draw a lot of attention to itself compared to the rest of your transcript. There is no doubt that any college admissions officers will take notice of this mark. If you are going into 12th grade as a senior, there is not much you can do about this.
Can you get into a UC with bad grades? ›
UC requires a 3.0 GPA for admission, but the lowest GPA on the Statewide Index is 3.6. Does that mean UC will not admit students with GPAs below 3.6? No. Meeting minimum requirements to qualify for admission is not the same as meeting eligibility for guaranteed admission.
Is a D passing UCLA? ›
A grade of C or better is required to earn a Passed; a C- or below will earn a Not Passed grade.
