DD is freaking out. Retake class?

[BlsdMama]

U of I was currently ranked #1 for SLP.  Just published, the average GPA of their accepted Masters candidates is 3.8.  Previously it was 3.5.

 

She took a summer class this summer and received a poor grade on it.  She just moved to junior status.  I'd assume it's worth retaking the class?  Will she have a leg-up at all by getting her undergrad there?  Doing research there?  She is panicking a little this morning.  

[Lori D.]

Speaking with the school directly is the only way to know what to do here.

 

What is the college's policy on retaking courses for grade improvement? Do they substitute or drop the lower grade? Or are ALL grades part of the cumulative GPA?

 

Also, ask them your exact questions from your post above about undergrad or research with the school. Or if you work with/for the school prior to applying for a Master's if the GPA requirement may be more flexible if they already know you and know what kind of student you are. ;)

 

GOOD LUCK! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited January 26, 2016 by Lori D.

[regentrude]

How bad is the grade? The school will have guidelines under which circumstances a retake is allowed. At our university, a student may retake a class only if the grade was a D or F.

 

Whether doing undergrad at the same institution constitutes an advantage or a disadvantage is something she needs to discuss with the graduate advisor or representative of the department's graduate admission committee . In some fields, doing grad school at the same uni as undergrad is frowned upon. Any research experience is definitely an advantage.

Often, the performance on the GRE and research experience weigh far heavier than the undergrad GPA. This is something the graduate advisor would know. Good luck.

Edited January 26, 2016 by regentrude

[Bootsie]

I wouldn't necessarily advise her to rush out and retake the class.  First, remember that that the 3.8 is an AVERAGE--half of those admitted had a lower GPA.  Second, you are probably dealing with a small sample size, and the average GPA may fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Although the Univ publishes the average GPA, that doesn't mean they accepted the highest GPAs from the pool.  The may consider a 3.0 from Univ A to be stronger than a 4.0 from Univ B.

 

Some things to consider are (1) how will a retake be placed on her transcript (2) how will a retake be calculated in her GPA--this varies from university to university and a university may even calculate multiple GPA's--one method for probation and another for honors, for example (3) how will the graduate program calculate her GPA; if both grades appear on the transcript the grad program can choose how to interpret this despite how the GPA is calculated on the transcript.  (4) What is her overall GPA?  (5)  Is this class closely related to the degree program?  (6) What were the reasons for doing poorly in the class?  Is it a real outlier from other grades?  (7) How well does she tend to do on standardized tests that will be part of the grad decision.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

Was the class in her major or a gen Ed requirement? If in her major, I would consider retaking.

[BlsdMama]

Thank you all so very much. She is going to go in and find out what happens if she retakes the class. The class was a D+. She got a C+ on her college GPA sad a high school senior taking a foreign language in a "one class at a time" format. However, since then she has taken excess hours each semester and only gotten Bs and above, mostly above. She tests incredibly well so the GRE will, most likely, be in her favor.

[Lori D.]

She is going to go in and find out what happens if she retakes the class. The class was a D+. 

 

This may end up being a moot point, as if the class is required for a degree (whether general ed. or core class), she will likely have to retake, as most colleges require a C or above for fulfilling required credits towards a degree.

 

Good luck! :)

[Grantmom]

When I was in undergrad, we were allowed to retake ONE class for grade replacement, and you were able to completely cancel that grade.  I'd check about grade replacement and see what he policy is.