No Pass Grade

[SB Surfer]

I wont be able to retake a class I received a NP (no pass) in until after applications are done. Therefore, what do universities think of NP and does it hurt your admission? Its not an important class related to my disciplinary, but it is an upper division history class. 

[ToomuchLes]

Good question! I am curious what other people think, but I believe it wont kill your chances. I read this really cool article a few nights ago that talked about the difference between undergrad and grad applications, and one think I remember the author talking about is how grad apps dont revolve around numbers (GPA, GRE). Its more about finding a perfect fit. Does the applicant possess potential scholarly works? If so, does his research interest reflect anyone currently in the department? And is that person of interest (professor) accepting new grad students? These are the important questions that committees ask when reading over apps.

 

But again, Im curious what other people think about a NP on your record. For the time being, since you cant change it, relax and dont worry too much about it ^.^ 

[Henry Hudson]

I had one when I was applying for MA programs. It was in Statistics; the rest of my courses were all As, with an occasional A- or B+. The only program I didn't accepted into was very small and apparently gave preference to people closer (I was three time zones away). So my NP was clearly an outlier. If you are in a similar place, I wouldn't worry. 

[Professor Plum]

What does NP signify at your university? Is it equivalent to an incomplete, or a failing grade? How clearly is this spelled out on the transcript that the admissions committee will review?

Edited September 20, 2013 by Professor Plum

[Henry Hudson]

for me, it was an actual F; it was an online course and I gave up on it after some miscommunications with the prof which she showed no interest in resolving. 

 

I retook it the following term and got an A-, but too late for my MA apps. So the F in an irrelevant course didn't matter for me. 

[CageFree]

Are you applying in History? If so, the grade will be relevant. If you are applying in, say, Mechanical Engineering, then it wouldn't matter. I had an F from a calculus class Freshman year, and I doubt that made much of a difference other than lowering my overall GPA. My history work was strong and that's what mattered, ultimately.

[Professor Plum]

Having an F or a NP on your transcript will hurt your chances for admission. How much it will hurt is impossible to say with precision and depends on factors like the competitiveness of the program, the pool of applicants interested in working in your field that year, and so on.