Programs C+ in Linear Algebra as Math Major

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A math major received a C+ in a summer Linear Algebra/Differential Equations class after struggling to focus on the final exam due to a family emergency. Despite this setback, the student is currently excelling in an Honors Linear Algebra course with an A/A+. There is a discussion about whether the strong performance in the upper division course will compensate for the lower division grade when applying to graduate schools. It is noted that graduate programs typically prioritize advanced coursework over early undergraduate grades. The student is encouraged to focus on maintaining strong grades in advanced classes, as universities often overlook earlier performance, especially when there are valid circumstances involved.
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So I'm a math major and I got a C+ in my Linear Alg/Diff Eq. class over the summer. I'm not sure how legit of an excuse this is but I had an A/A+ up to the final when I got a 30/74 on it. And the reason I bombed the final was that moments earlier, I got a call from my mom that my grandma was in the hospital and was under critical condition (soon to die as my family had expected it to happen pretty soon). With that information, I really couldn't focus on the final at all and I simply did not finish it in time.

Right now, I'm in an Honors Linear Algebra upper division course, which is MUCH more challenging than its lower division correspondent and I have about an A/A+ in this class. Will getting the A in my honors upper division LA class make up for the C+ in the lower division LA class? Surely graduate schools will understand right? I mean, who gets a C+ in lower division LA but aces the honors upper division without a good excuse?
 
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I'm sure they'll understand, I don't think they particularly care about first year marks anyways. Have you spoken to your professor about what happened?
 
It happened in pre-freshman summer so it was technically before the first year started anyways. And no, I didn't tell my lower division LA professor about it. I didn't want to seem like the type of person that makes things up just to get another go at the final.
 
You seem to be on track to finish a very strong math degree. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Universities usually look at the more advanced courses you've taken and at the rate your going you'll have plenty by the time you graduate. Do well in those and nobody will care about stuff from before freshmen year.
 
Thanks for the encouragement!
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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