Drop A Class to Save Rising GPA?

[Mycoalwin]

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Summary: will a W in a non-BCP class hurt my chances?

Basically, my GPA has been rising since Freshman year. It was then a 3.43, and after sophomore year it rose to a 3.70. If I were to get all A's this semester, I would be at around a 3.75.

I just found out I "bombed" one of my tests for an unimportant class (unimportant to dental school, that is). To get an A in that class, I would have to ace everything left in the class, including the final. My calculations are as follows:

B in that class, A in everything else: end GPA will be 3.71
Drop the class, A in everything else: 3.747 (rounded to 3.75 I guess)

If I do not drop the class and manage to scavenge the A, it can set me up to reach a max 3.80 GPA by application time. If I were to drop the class and still manage all A's next semester, I'd end up with a 3.79. Sounds somewhat neurotic, but is it worth it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wjc]

You may be asked about W's on your transcript. If you only have the one, and you feel comfortable with this, then go for it. If you have multiple W's then maybe this is not a good plan for you. Just know, if you take the easy way out this time, you may find yourself in a worse predicament later where you will need to withdraw, and then you would have more to explain. Also, how does the loss of the class interfere with your graduation plans?

 

[Mycoalwin]

You may be asked about W's on your transcript. If you only have the one, and you feel comfortable with this, then go for it. If you have multiple W's then maybe this is not a good plan for you. Just know, if you take the easy way out this time, you may find yourself in a worse predicament later where you will need to withdraw, and then you would have more to explain. Also, how does the loss of the class interfere with your graduation plans?

It won't affect my graduation at all - I have a year's ahead standing because of AP credits from high school. This would be my only W, and hopefully going into my second year as a junior I won't have to think about dropping another class. My reasons for possibly dropping this time around are all strategic for GPA purposes, I guess.

 

[HookahLungs]

who cares get a B a 3.71 isn't very different than a 3.75. 0.04 is not going to reduce your risk of being accepted but a W might

 

[wjc]

3.71 is on the higher end, many applicants on this site would be very happy with that. So the question is, does that .08 difference help you more than a W may hurt you? I lean towards the opinion that your GPA is high enough that other factors will be more in play for an acceptance. Remember that you may also be judged by course load, combination of classes taken, etc. My humble opinion. Best of luck.

 

[Mycoalwin]

3.71 is on the higher end, many applicants on this site would be very happy with that. So the question is, does that .08 difference help you more than a W may hurt you? I lean towards the opinion that your GPA is high enough that other factors will be more in play for an acceptance. Remember that you may also be judged by course load, combination of classes taken, etc. My humble opinion. Best of luck.

Much appreciated wjc. I'm going to talk with my professor tomorrow regarding the rest of the course -- hopefully things will work out. Trying whatever I can to get a scholarship since my parents have to pay for my sister's schooling now!

 

[SXCoronado]

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[HookahLungs]

This

Thanks folk, I do it for my squad

 

[Sonya0810]

If you are at risk of getting C drop it, other than that don't. I have three W, but i am working full time all undergrad, had several job transitions and had to replan. Had 6 interviews an nobody asked me about W.

 

[wjc]

If you are at risk of getting C drop it, other than that don't. I have three W, but i am working full time all undergrad, had several job transitions and had to replan. Had 6 interviews an nobody asked me about W.

Funny. Just depends on where you go. I was asked about my only W (in the last 10 years anyway. I've got history, not just a transcript.)

 

[SXCoronado]

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