Got a D in a course Forum

[TrunksFan1]

Everyone, I'm feeling really bummed. I got a D in a class. Gpa is still looking like it's going to be in the 3.6 range, but it really sucks because I'm typically a B+ to A student. How big of a deal is the D?

[lymenheimer]

That depends. How big was it?

[Good Guy Gaud]

A D is not good, not going to sugarcoat it.


What happened? Any idea why you got a D?

[gastronomy]

.

[TrunksFan1]

Course was a free elective, but it was a law related class. Earned A level grades on tests, failed to enter in an essay. Had serious family issues pulling on me back at home, and failed to communicate with the prof. I'm in senior year, but the next semester should be a complete breeze.

[Dcc617]

My last grade in college was a C-. I'm still having a very good cycle so far. I don't think it's a huge deal. Just keep your GPA up as high as you can and score high on the LSAT.

[TrunksFan1]

Additionally, I know I'm taking a year off to work, but how will that zinger affect my chances at employment? Has anyone had any experience with that? Also I'm still welcoming comments on how the D affects admissions. Thanks everyone, love the community here.

[Good Guy Gaud]

You should be fine. Like the above poster said, just keep that GPA up.


FWIW, I had at least one D


ETA: and if you're asking about legal employment, I don't think anyone will care

[Hikikomorist]

Shouldn't matter at all beyond the effect it has on your cumulative GPA.

[WhyYaCryin]

That depends. How big was it?

Underrated post.

[coolestkidever]

That depends. How big was it?

Underrated post.

[TrunksFan1]

The problem is that the grade brought my 3.60 to a 3.53. I can still make it back into the 3.6s if I kill next semester, but it just sucks that it just set me back so much.

[Good Guy Gaud]

The problem is that the grade brought my 3.60 to a 3.53. I can still make it back into the 3.6s if I kill next semester, but it just sucks that it just set me back so much.

Can you retake the class to increase the GPA? Not sure you'll need to (or even should) do that but I know at least some schools allow that

[TrunksFan1]

unfortunately, I only have one semester left, and the course isn't being offered next semester.

[Mr. Peanutbutter]

The problem is that the grade brought my 3.60 to a 3.53. I can still make it back into the 3.6s if I kill next semester, but it just sucks that it just set me back so much.

Can you retake the class to increase the GPA? Not sure you'll need to (or even should) do that but I know at least some schools allow that

Do not do this. Your LSAC GPA factors in all attempts of a course, even if your university's policy is to replace the grade. This is what leads to a lot of discrepancies between LSAC and your university's calculation of GPA.

Have you tried reaching out to your professor? Request a meeting and, if you feel comfortable, open up about your family problems and see if they'll let you do something to at least bring it up from a D.

[Good Guy Gaud]

The problem is that the grade brought my 3.60 to a 3.53. I can still make it back into the 3.6s if I kill next semester, but it just sucks that it just set me back so much.

Can you retake the class to increase the GPA? Not sure you'll need to (or even should) do that but I know at least some schools allow that

Do not do this. Your LSAC GPA factors in all attempts of a course, even if your university's policy is to replace the grade. This is what leads to a lot of discrepancies between LSAC and your university's calculation of GPA.

Did not know that. Thanks for the info

[Clearly]

The problem is that the grade brought my 3.60 to a 3.53. I can still make it back into the 3.6s if I kill next semester, but it just sucks that it just set me back so much.

Can you retake the class to increase the GPA? Not sure you'll need to (or even should) do that but I know at least some schools allow that

Do not do this. Your LSAC GPA factors in all attempts of a course, even if your university's policy is to replace the grade. This is what leads to a lot of discrepancies between LSAC and your university's calculation of GPA.

Have you tried reaching out to your professor? Request a meeting and, if you feel comfortable, open up about your family problems and see if they'll let you do something to at least bring it up from a D.

This last bit is the solution. Get in touch asap and explain that you had been killing the class and the family problems and that you're applying to law school and this has serious repercussions for you, offer to do an additional assignment, etc. I'd bet if you're any good with people you could get that grade changed.

[galadriel3019]

Everyone, I'm feeling really bummed. I got a D in a class. Gpa is still looking like it's going to be in the 3.6 range, but it really sucks because I'm typically a B+ to A student. How big of a deal is the D?

I would write an addendum. If it was a random class outside your major and a one off, I think a number of schools would overlook it and look at the bigger picture. However, since it's a law class, it might cause an admissions committee to pause. So if you can address the reasons behind it, it could really help you. Provide some context for the grade.

[Clearly]

Everyone, I'm feeling really bummed. I got a D in a class. Gpa is still looking like it's going to be in the 3.6 range, but it really sucks because I'm typically a B+ to A student. How big of a deal is the D?

I would write an addendum. If it was a random class outside your major and a one off, I think a number of schools would overlook it and look at the bigger picture. However, since it's a law class, it might cause an admissions committee to pause. So if you can address the reasons behind it, it could really help you. Provide some context for the grade.

OP don't listen to this, an addendum is a big no no here.

[Mr. Peanutbutter]

Yeah, jesus, that sounds like a terrible idea. Admissions is overwhelmingly about numbers. Don't start thinking about tiny things on the margins like writing an addendum no one will read. Until you get a definitive "No, it is impossible to change your grade" from your school, you need to fight for a higher grade.

If that no comes, then you can start weighing how to handle dealing with it.

[galadriel3019]

Everyone, I'm feeling really bummed. I got a D in a class. Gpa is still looking like it's going to be in the 3.6 range, but it really sucks because I'm typically a B+ to A student. How big of a deal is the D?

I would write an addendum. If it was a random class outside your major and a one off, I think a number of schools would overlook it and look at the bigger picture. However, since it's a law class, it might cause an admissions committee to pause. So if you can address the reasons behind it, it could really help you. Provide some context for the grade.

OP don't listen to this, an addendum is a big no no here.

Well I was actually meeting with an admissions counsellor who was prompting me to write an addendum until they realized that my course issue was way outside my major. So maybe the more precise response would be to call and ask. You don't have to give your name, and if schools say "we don't care", then great. But if one or two do, you can make the effort. At least you'd get piece of mind by asking.

[Clearly]

Lol listen, never ever ever trust what the school itself tells you. They have their interests and you have yours. They will always act towards their interest. I've heard them outright lie for the sake of getting more information, or another ding to drive down their acceptance rate.

[Clearly]

Schools aren't looking for one weird grade. They're looking first at the overall gpa. If it's up to their standards the hunt ends there. They won't care about upward trend downward trend nothing, if that number is good enough then you did fine. If they go for a closer inspection their looking for trends, not individual grades. Finally, look at your own academic summary report, it doesn't include classes, I'm under the belief that the school literally has no way of knowing if you got a D in law, chemistry, or how to breathe.

All you're doing with an addendum is saying HEY LOOK AT THIS SHIT GRADE YOU MAY NOT EVEN HAVE NOTICED.

But, this is all pointless because you should be able to get that grade changed unless your teacher is a witch or you suck with people.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yeah, I don't agree with the above about getting the grade changed. It's certainly worth trying. But I want to note that saying "but I need a better grade to get into law school/this grade will hurt my chances for law school" to most professors goes over like a lead balloon, for a whole lot of reasons. You can go talk to them about what was going on with your semester and find out if they're willing to let you submit the essay late (although that would have been better done before grades were submitted). But asking to do extra work, unless they offered extra credit throughout the semester, is also not generally well received.

[Clearly]

Yeah, I don't agree with the above about getting the grade changed. It's certainly worth trying. But I want to note that saying "but I need a better grade to get into law school/this grade will hurt my chances for law school" to most professors goes over like a lead balloon, for a whole lot of reasons. You can go talk to them about what was going on with your semester and find out if they're willing to let you submit the essay late (although that would have been better done before grades were submitted). But asking to do extra work, unless they offered extra credit throughout the semester, is also not generally well received.

Depends entirely on the prof. I've seen plenty of professors allow extra work to change a grade for worse reasons than this, and at multiple schools. While I totally concede there are professors who would laugh at this, or schools that would shun it as a blanket rule, I can assure you from first hand observations, and helping people on this board through pm, that plenty will allow this to be changed.

Eta: the reasons you pointed out are what I mean by not being bad at people, if you go in spewing law school they're not gonna help you, but if approached carefully, plenty of professors will go to bat and as far as the school will allow them to for a student.