I am planning to apply for the MBA program when I am done. Do you think that a grade of F will affect my chances (Received this grade in 1st year)? They say they consider the last two years, but will this affect their decision? I had a 10.4 average in my 3rd year and received a senate scholarship year and I am doing pretty good this year as well, not as good, but I think I will have a decent average. They say that they require a minimum of 8 average in the last two years. I am going to get way over than probably a 9.3-9.5. Do you think if I have a good interview and and a good GMAT score I will get in despite the 0? Even though I had a crappy first year I got my cumulative average of all the classes I have taken at mac so far to 8.2.

It depends on if the school weighs your CGPA as well, if they do it is still not very likly to affect you much given your 8.2.

just do really well on your gmat to balance out the 0 in 1st year if need be
and prepare to have an answer to why you failed the course, and what have you learned from this experience etc.

Based on what you described it seems very clear that although you didn't do well in first year, there has been a definite upward trend and your grades are much better now.
I'm not on the admissions committee or familiar with the procedures for MBA, but if they say they only look at your last two years, then I'd imagine that's all they care about.

Which school are you applying to? Full-time or part-time?

McMaster MBA Co-op-Fulltime

they really wont pay much attention (at least this is what i've heard from friends who have gone into Masters) to grades outside of the last 2 years (or certain number of credits) unless you want to highlight a certain grade for them. So i think you'll be fine. Unless you decide to emphasize that 0 to them...

it was chem, wasnt it? :(
just had the exam yesterday. glad its over!

I hear the 1st year marks are not much of an issue and they are more concerned with seeing that you have improved each year.

haha no it wasn't chemistry.

and also have great ECs, your grades are really just to help you kick the door down. the rest is really upto your experience and personality during the interview. Good luck

Just explain to your grad supervisor or future employer that F, at McMaster denotes that you're a really fun student. (works best if you're applying to a foreign school)

You can't change it now so why bother worrying. The best you can do is try.