If I take a course again for a better grade, will colleges see that I repeated it? I'm wondering how this appears on my transcript and whether it impacts their view of my academic ability.
When you retake a course, particularly in high school, both the original grade and the new grade generally will appear on your transcript, which is the document typically sent to colleges during the application process. They will see that a course was taken twice, but the way that repeat-coursework is represented on transcripts can vary by school. Some schools might use an asterisk or other mark to indicate a repeated course, while others might not have any specific marking.
The impact this has on college admissions teams can also vary. Some higher education institutions take a holistic approach when it comes to evaluating applicants' academics and consider the rigor of coursework and any improvements shown over time in their assessments. So an upward trend, even after a poor initial grade, could be perceived positively as it shows resilience and the ability to improve. However, it is preferable not to make it a consistent practice, as consistent repeats may make you seem less capable to handle the heavy and intensive curriculum that colleges offer.
Ultimately, though, while college admissions officers look at transcripts for your academic history, they also consider other factors such as extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays in evaluating the overall aptness of a student. But If you're worried about how a retaken course may look, consider addressing the issue directly in your application where possible—perhaps in your personal statement or supplemental essays—to explain the context of why you retook the course and what you learned from that experience.
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