how do you justify repeating a course

by Glenda Pagac 10 min read

Students repeat courses for several reasons: sometimes the passing grade they received won’t count for their major. In that case, repeating the course makes sense. A second reason cited is that students feel they need a better grasp of the course material before going on.

Full Answer

What should I do if I repeat a course?

If a student chooses to repeat a course, they should maximize their chances for success by utilizing available resources and practicing good study habits. The policy below applies to courses taken for the first time in fall 2014 or later. For classes taken before 2014, see an advisor in the College Center for Advising Services (CCAS).

Can I repeat a course if I have a'W'grade?

If you have a 'W' notation for a course (meaning you Withdrew after the add/drop deadline), this is not considered a completed course grade. Therefore, a 'W' cannot be overwritten on your transcript by repeating the course. Generally, you cannot enroll in a non-repeatable-for-credit class for a third time.

How many times can you repeat a course to replace grades?

You can only repeat a course one time to replace a grade. Grades in third attempts of a course will not be calculated into your GPA, but will be shown on your transcript. If you earned a grade of D+, D, D-, or F, you must take your repeat for a letter grade.

What happens if I fail a course and then repeat it?

Students who choose to repeat a course they have failed, and who select the S/F option, must pass the course the second time in order for the first failing grade to be removed from the GPA.

What does repeating a course mean?

Repeating a course means taking a course with the same course number as one you've already completed. You can also repeat a course by taking one that is "equivalent" to one you've already taken.

Is it okay to repeat a class?

4) Repeating a course makes a positive point to those who may evaluate your record that you are a highly motivated individual. You make clear that there were problems with a course in the past but you were committed to earning a higher grade by taking the course again.

How does repeating a course affect your GPA?

The first thing you need to be clear about is that retaking classes (in most cases) has a minimal effect on your GPA, because retaken classes don't replace your low grades – they average in with them. That's right: your low grade won't be dropped – the retaken class grade will be added to it and averaged.

How do I write a letter of appeal to retake a college course?

Appeal Letter TemplateFirst paragraph: clearly explain the semester(s) and/or class(es) for which you are appealing. ... Second paragraph/section: write out the reasons for the withdrawal, grade change, or other request. ... Third paragraph/section: describe any supporting documents you are including with your appeal.More items...

Does retaking a course replace the grade?

If you receive a grade lower than an A in a class, you may be able to retake the class to remove that grade from your GPA. (Note that both grades will remain on your transcript; however, the earlier will have an X next to it and, depending on your school, may not be included in your GPA.)

Should I retake a class with the same professor?

If the failed class is required, retake it with the same professor. You'll be ahead of the game. Your prof might even transfer passing assignments so you don't have to redo work.

Can you raise GPA by retaking classes?

Retaking a course may raise your student's GPA (grade point average). In many schools, if a student retakes a course, the most recent grade will replace the lower grade in the student's GPA. The earlier, lower grade will remain on the transcript, but will not be included in the GPA.

What if I retake a course and do worse?

The second grade always replaces the first grade. However, you can retake a class and get a worse grade. For example, if you have a D (a passing grade) and retake a course and receive an F (a failing grade), you now have a failing grade in the course and will have to take the class for a third time.

Should I retake a class I failed?

Even if you do fail, you can retake the class and ask for help. Although it will negatively impact your GPA and could affect your financial obligations, you can bounce back. Start by asking for more help and studying differently or harder if you retake the course. Most importantly, don't give up.

How do you write a petition to repeat a course?

After you address the letter and state your intent, include the reasons why you were unable to complete the course successfully on previous attempts. Detail any medical problems, learning disabilities, financial or personal hardships, or family issues that affected your class performance.

How do you ask a teacher to redo?

Don't immediately launch into the reasons why you failed; this might make your teacher suspect that you're making up an excuse. Acknowledge that you made a mistake in doing poorly on the test. Tell your teacher that you accept responsibility for the test and that you're trying to be responsible by asking for a retake.

How do you write a successful academic appeal letter?

Writing an Effective Appeal LetterDon't rush. Far too often students do not take the time to write a proper appeal. ... Opening statement. ... Be factual. ... Be specific. ... Documentation. ... Stick to the point. ... Do not try to manipulate the reader. ... How to talk about feelings.More items...

Can you register for a repeat course if you have signed an incomplete contract?

Students who have submitted signed incomplete contracts requiring them to do the work again should make arrangements to audit the course, and not register again for credit as a “repeated” course.

Is it easier to repeat a course the second time?

A course will not necessarily be easier the second time around. If a student chooses to repeat a course, they should maximize their chances for success by utilizing available resources and practicing good study habits. The policy below applies to courses taken for the first time in fall 2014 or later.

Can you repeat a CHM 203/204?

When departments offer courses that are similar in content but at different levels (e.g., MTH 141 and 161, MTH 143 and 162), students cannot use the lower-level course as a “repeat” of the upper-level course. However, CHM 203/204 can be used as a repeat of CHM 171/172.

Can you repeat BIO 112?

BIO 112, another course that is for first-year students only, cannot be repeated. A student who earns a grade below "C" in BIO 112 and wants to continue in biology may repeat the course by taking BIO 110.

Can you repeat a first year course?

First-Year Only Courses. Some courses, because of the way they are offered, cannot be repeated. PHY 143 is one example of a course that is for first-year students only. A student who fails PHY 143 should take PHY 123 in the second year. BIO 112, another course that is for first-year students only, cannot be repeated.

Can you repeat a course with a low grade?

Students who complete a course with a low or failing grade may wish to repeat the course in a subsequent semester. In addition to understanding the policies concerning course repeats (see below), and speaking with an academic advisor, it is also helpful for a student to consider the following:

Can you increase your GPA by repeating a course?

Finally, if a student is repeating a course to increase their GPA for their graduate or professional school applications, it is useful to know that these schools may calculate a student's GPA differently. A student may wish or need to strengthen their knowledge of a particular topic in order to prepare for future classes.

How many units are repeated in a GPA?

If you have repeated fewer than 12 units, the grade from the second attempt of the course will go into your GPA and the grade from first attempt will come out, regardless of which grade is higher. If you have repeated more than 12 units, grades from both the first and second attempts will be calculated into your GPA.

Does taking a third grade affect your GPA?

If you take a course for a third time, the grade will not impact your GPA. Whether a major can accept subject credit from a third attempt of a course to satisfy a major requirement is up to the major department. Please see your Undergraduate Major Adviser to discuss whether this is possible.

Does UC Berkeley have a repeat policy?

This means that you should not rely on UC Berkeley's repeat policies to boost GPAs for these programs. It is important to never perform worse in a course than you otherwise could with the intention of repeating the course since the first grade will be averaged into your recalculated GPA along with any/all repeat attempts.

Can you repeat a NP in math 1A?

Courses where the first grade was a NP can be repeated without counting toward this limit. So, a student who repeats a NP in Math 1A will have used no units of repeat toward their limit. This is a hard limit, meaning that if a student has 10 units of repeat, they can only repeat another 2-unit course, not a 4-unit course. ...

Can you repeat a course to replace a grade?

You can only repeat a course one time to replace a grade. Grades in third attempts of a course will not be calculated into your GPA, but will be shown on your transcript. If you earned a grade of D+, D, D-, or F, you must take your repeat for a letter grade.

Can you repeat a course on your 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.

Do law schools calculate repeat GPA?

Law schools and medical schools will calculate all attempts of a repeat into your admissions GPA. This may be true of other graduate programs as well. It is important you do your own research to understand how your GPA may be calculated differently by other institutions.

What is the third attempt for home school?

Third attempt: Students must obtain the approval of the dean or the dean's designee of their home school or college for a third attempt and can only be registered for a third attempt by their home school or college.

What is an attempt in grade?

An attempt is defined as registration in a class resulting in a grade or a withdrawal (indicated by the W grade notation). Standard grading options include: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F. (See Bulletin for other grading options.)

How many times can you take a credit?

Except for courses designated to be taken multiple times ("repeatable"), such as an independent study or research course, credit will be granted only once for each course and only the highest grade earned for that course will be used to calculate a student's grade point average.

Is AU an attempt?

Courses with the grade notation of AU (audit) are not considered an attempt as defined by this policy. Second attempt: Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor prior to registration for a second attempt to discuss academic and financial implications. Graduate students seeking a second attempt are required ...

Can you take a course a second time?

Policy Statement. All students are permitted to attempt a course a second time. A student seeking a third attempt must obtain the approval of the student's home school or college. Approval of a third attempt is not guaranteed. Except as permitted by this policy, no student may attempt a course more than three times.

Can you graduate from a program after exhausted courses?

Graduate students who have exhausted course attempts for course (s) required for their major will be unable to graduate from their program. Following the awarding of a degree, no changes in the grade average point average will be made through the repeat process.

How to repeat credit in MyMadison?

To select your repeat option go to: MyMadison > Student Center > Enroll Classes > Edit > Choose Course.

What GPA do you need to repeat forgive?

Repeat Forgive. You may want to consider the repeat forgive option if you need a specific GPA to progress. To graduate you need a minimum of a 2.0 in the major and cumulative GPA.

Does JMU have a repeat forgive?

Only the second attempt of taking the course is used in the GPA calculation, but both grades remain on your transcript. Students only have two repeat forgive opportunities during their time at JMU.

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Financial Aid Implications

  • Students receiving any kind of institutional or federal aid must be enrolled full-time, carrying at least 12 newcredit hours. Repeating courses for which you have already a passing grade, and therefore received credit (C-, D+, D, D-, S) ARE NOTcounted towards the 12 new credit hours. Repeating courses for which you have earned a failing grade, and therefore not received credit (…
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Repeat Course Policy Exceptions

  • Note that the individual academic departments are responsible for managing the following exceptions and special circumstances for repeat courses. When questions arise, it is always best to consult first with an advisor in the specific academic department for guidance.
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Courses at A Different Level

  • CHEM 203/204 can be used as a repeat of CHEM 171/172. The following lower-level Physics courses can be used as a “repeat” of their respective upper-level course. Please note that in these cases, only the grade for the lower-level physics class will be factored into the GPA. All grade and credit for the upper-level physics class will be forfeited. 1...
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Writing Courses

  • Students who pass WRTG 105/105E with a grade below “C” can choose to take the course a second time for four additional credit hours, and with both grades in the GPA, or can choose to follow the standard repeat policy. This decision can be made through the Repeat Course Request Form. Any of the following three courses can be used to repeat the others: 1. WRTG 105 2. WRT…
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First-Year only Courses

  • Some courses, because of the way they are offered, cannot be repeated. PHYS 143 is one example of a course that is for first-year students only. A student who fails PHYS 143 should take PHYS 123 in the second year. BIOL 112, another course that is for first-year students only, cannot be repeated. A student who earns a grade below "C" in BIOL 112 and wants to continue in biolog…
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Courses That Can Be Repeated For Credit

  • Some courses can be taken more than once with a credit and a grade earned each time. This is because the class number stays the same, but the topic and the content within the course changes. The most common such course is Applied Music: Lessons at Eastman with 130 or 160 as the course number. Students can also take two-credit foreign language conversation course…
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Additional Special Circumstances

  • Of the following bullet points, each bullet point contains two courses in which students cannot earn credit for both courses: 1. PHYS 121 and PHYS 113 2. PHYS 122 and PHYS 114 3. CHEM 171 and CHEM 203 4. MATH 161 and MATH 171 5. MATH 162 and MATH 172 6. BIOL 190 and BIOL 198 7. MUSC 101 and MUSC 110 8. FIN 204 and FIN 205 (beginning in spring 2019) Studen…
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