Drop vs. C (or worse)

[scuti]

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Sadly I didn't listen to the advice of my peers when I took an upper level genetics course this semester, and it's laying me low. I'm working my ass off, and just scraping by. As a result, I'm afraid my grades in other courses are going to suffer.

My question is this: Does it make more sense to drop the course or kill myself over it and get a C (B if some miracle occurs) at best? The time required to maintain this course already eats significantly in to time I should be spending on other courses.

I would have no intention of retaking this class. There's only 1 professor that teaches it, and he's abysmal (though the fault is always half mine) and trying again later isn't going to solve that issue. This would be my second dropped course, though my only one that I'm not retaking (I retook 2nd semester organic chemistry.)

My current GPA is acceptable, though nothing to write home about. If I continue in this course my GPA will go down. Nothing short of an act of God (and then some) will give me an A in this course, and everything else will lower my overall/science GPA.

My belief is that I should drop it, get A's in the rest of my courses this semester, and if asked, explain that I was simply in over my head in this particular instance.

Thoughts?

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Why would you even be asked about it? Is it a true "drop" or does it show up on your transcript as a W? If you do get to drop the class cleanly, given that you don't need the class, you're doing badly in it, and it's even affecting your performance in other classes, the decision seems clear.

 

[Contrarian]

take the W and move on.

 

[redsquareblack]

Drop versus C? Take the W, every time.

 

[scuti]

Why would you even be asked about it? Is it a true "drop" or does it show up on your transcript as a W? If you do get to drop the class cleanly, given that you don't need the class, you're doing badly in it, and it's even affecting your performance in other classes, the decision seems clear.

Sorry, I guess I wasn't very clear. We have long since passed the "drop/add" part of the semester. It would now show up on my transcript as a DR (W).

 

[Longshanks]

Even if its a W, if its not a pre-req for your upper level classes or med school, just drop it/withdraw from it. Or see if you can take it P/F if you're interested in the material but just struggling for a grade. No one is going to count academic exploration against you, so long as you don't hurt yourself doing it.

 

[Beren]

Can you change the grading option to Pass/Not Pass?

 

[boaz]

Barring any other options, take the W and RUN.

 

[scuti]

Even if its a W, if its not a pre-req for your upper level classes or med school, just drop it/withdraw from it. Or see if you can take it P/F if you're interested in the material but just struggling for a grade. No one is going to count academic exploration against you, so long as you don't hurt yourself doing it.

It's unlikely but possible for me to change to a pass/fail in the course. At this point I would have to write a rather intense letter to the Dean explaining why I should be allowed to change.

However, the course is of interest to me in name only. I've never taken a true genetics course before, I've only ever experienced it as portions of intro and intermediate level bio courses. What I experienced I found very interesting, and the genetics I was exposed to at my neuropathology lab was fascinating. This turned out to be more of a statistics course than I was expecting. The actual "genes" of the genetics has been severally limited and could easily be replaced with darts and a dartboard up to this point.

 

[Beren]

It's unlikely but possible for me to change to a pass/fail in the course. At this point I would have to write a rather intense letter to the Dean explaining why I should be allowed to change.

However, the course is of interest to me in name only. I've never taken a true genetics course before, I've only ever experienced it as portions of intro and intermediate level bio courses. What I experienced I found very interesting, and the genetics I was exposed to at my neuropathology lab was fascinating. This turned out to be more of a statistics course than I was expecting. The actual "genes" of the genetics has been severally limited and could easily be replaced with darts and a dartboard up to this point.

Well, if it's any consolation, my favorite genetics prof always said, "I've got to teach you to walk before you learn to run."

Every genetics course has to start with the classical, statistical approach. Then the class moves into a more modern mode dealing with developmental genes, oncogenes, epigenetics. If you are truly interested in the material, stick it out, especially if you have already completed "intermediate level bio courses". These classes can be curved much more generously than you think. Without knowing your exam grades, I'd say you can put in the time and try to ace the next midterm and the final - surely that can bring things up to a B.

I may be too optimistic, but don't let your pre-med anxieties stifle your academic interests.

 

[scuti]

Well, if it's any consolation, my favorite genetics prof always said, "I've got to teach you to walk before you learn to run."

Every genetics course has to start with the classical, statistical approach. Then the class moves into a more modern mode dealing with developmental genes, oncogenes, epigenetics. If you are truly interested in the material, stick it out, especially if you have already completed "intermediate level bio courses". These classes can be curved much more generously than you think. Without knowing your exam grades, I'd say you can put in the time and try to ace the next midterm and the final - surely that can bring things up to a B.

I may be too optimistic, but don't let your pre-med anxieties stifle your academic interests.

Sadly this is the part where the "always half my fault" doesn't apply. Our genetics professor is notorious for not curving his exams at all. The only times I've ever heard of him curving the exams are when everyone actually does fail, and even then his curve raised the majority of people to a D.