Hiya,

I took physics at the first university I went to back when I was an Applied Mathematics major. I ended up getting a D, probably because I was taking Calc II the same semester and it was still the first year "on my own" and I was probably just trying to enjoy myself a little too much to handle both.

Anyways fast forward 5 years and I had switched universities (both state schools, so everything transferred) and majors, so while I was waiting to get into the undergrad Architecture program I retook the equivalent class at UW-Milwaukee and ended up with a B. I think it helped that the Prof was pretty new, and the TA that was supposed to be helping us was pretty useless (not her area of expertise, as she explained), so once too many of us started bombing the quizzes and such he eased up on us.

Anyway, if it were me I'd opt for the withdrawal and then hopefully retake it at a later date. I'm just assuming you'll retake it anyway if you need it to get into a grad program, and a W is easier to live with than a D.

If you do better on it the second time around, I wouldn't think grad schools would look down on people for retaking a class. Of course, I'm not in grad school, and "top tier" is a bit out of my league, I'm just shooting for in-state schools, which here in Wisconsin is one, ha!

Good luck!

I agree, most pre-req's have to be passed with a C or better. So you'll have to retake it at some point. Keep in mind that these are just pre-req's and play such a minor role in Grad app's. But if you are shooting for Princeton then everything counts.

physics can be a bugger.....don't let it hold you down...If you don't understand how moisture moves thru a wall your designing them just about like every fricking other Architect out there even is your not an Architect and only a student....physics is something that just comes to you in a dream after you have a misserable time at it at University.
Your so fricking afraid you don't understand it you work at figuring is all out......so keep on smiling! Go figure out how to get a better grade.....most of the time in physics problems it is a math understanding that is the under_toad... I know cause I have been there. When an architect points out a building which has fallen down which he was part of his body of work ....."Run" cause he passed a physics class in college and didn't want to use a Structural Engineer...
best of luck to you!

Why is physics a prerequisite for graduate school?

I mean unless you're an engineering major or a math major... I haven't see much of anyone requiring it.

I know a girl who is in a top tier graduate school and her admission package was "I got a 2.75 GPA because I learned more from drinking, fucking, doing drugs and partying than I ever did studying." It was followed by an exhaustive photo essay of the past four years of her doing as such.

Needless to say... she got a scholarship.

rockandhill,

you might consider taking your profession more seriously than your friend. Regardless if the story is true or not, I wouldn't really go around praising it as a model of how to function in school or in your career. Anyhow, a large part of physics I is basic mechanics, fundamentally how objects move and relate to one another. I believe strongly that it behooves an Architect to have a functional understanding of basic physics and engineering principles and the associated language, just as an engineer should have some appreciation for programming, coordination and aesthetic concerns. You can't think of your job solely as some insulated ivory tower. To be successful, you'll need to work with other people, who come from many different backgrounds, and speaking their language helps a lot.

Hi all,

Thanks for all your responses. Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to say that physics was not important, and I absolutely will try my hardest to grasp the subject.

I'm just trying to gauge the seriousness of a D (if I can't get a withdrawal) on my transcript from my first semester of university and how that will look to top tier grad schools even if (ideally) I do well in a retake later on in my academic career. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

Unless your a valedictorian and got a 1590 on your SATs, being run-of-the-mill boring gets you nowhere.

I'm not an architect and I am professionless.

I am near homelessness, I make money from refurbishing furniture off craigslist and I run a charity that gives homeless people burgers, beer and socks.

I took the profession extremely serious, I did everything I was suppose to or could do, I followed every suggested mannerism and rule of professional etiquette, I had a great portfolio (that's on a computer that has gotten stolen {I still have to settle that score with that shitnosed punk}) and you know where it got me? Nowhere!

Everyone else I have known that's taken a non-polite counter approach have amazing jobs and have gotten into nice schools for free or nearly free.

You know one of the only thing that has gotten me any notice from a potential employer? I did an exhaustive study on where people have sex in public places and the architecture/planning of those places (also on my stolen computer). That was the only thing I got great feedback on.

There's lot of things to study and spend time on. Isn't that what diversity is about?

Ok, although I appreciate all the comments, my question hasn't really been answered. I'm not inquiring about the overarching importance of physics of any other broad academic related question.

Basically I'm asking for any input on my specific situation. I know that there are people who have gone through the application process for top tier grad schools and I'm wanting to know how bad D in physics first year is even if a better grade is earned later on before I graduate. Basically I know these schools are tough to get into, but how important would this be??

Thanks.

Do an override and get it off your record. A late withdrawal is better than nothing. If it is this semesters, see if your school does overrides in the spring. You may have the option of it getting it marked different to where it doesn't effect your GPA but is still on you transcript.

I wouldn't retake it if you absolutely have to or are compelled to retake it. It's not very important if you can find other things to fill your portfolio with and if you like any of your teachers... you can get closer to them by taking repeated classes (good if you need letters of recommendation later on or even better because they'll let you have exceptions from time to time).

You may find it more enriching if you take art or history classes and try to apply an architects mindset to it. Most professors can be flexible on papers if you tell them what you're majoring in.