Have you ever dropped a class to save your GPA?

[Chris127]

I am thinking about dropping my chem class. I am really dont want to, for the fear of being a semester behind in chem, but then again, I dont want to finish with a C either. I can drop the class without recieving a "w," meaning there would be no record of me taking the class. We have a chem test next Friday, which will likely be the grade determining whether I finish with a B or C. What should I do? Should I take the risk, keep the class, and try for a B, or play it safe by dropping it altogether and starting again in the spring?

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[DrBowtie]

How can you drop without record this late in the semester? Strange Uni. policy?

 

[Chris127]

Yeah, the schedule is a bit confusing, since everything was supposed to be pushed back 3 weeks because of katrina, I am not sure whether I am looking at the original or pushed back date, but it says Nov.11.

 

[BasesofHumanity]

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[silas2642]

I am thinking about dropping my chem class. I am really dont want to, for the fear of being a semester behind in chem, but then again, I dont want to finish with a C either. I can drop the class without recieving a "w," meaning there would be no record of me taking the class. We have a chem test next Friday, which will likely be the grade determining whether I finish with a B or C. What should I do? Should I take the risk, keep the class, and try for a B, or play it safe by dropping it altogether and starting again in the spring?

Drop it. Chem is too important and fundamental of a subject to not get an A or at least a B on. Drop it and ace it in the spring.

 

[phenylalanine]

is it on ur amcas app? because if it is... I heard med schools don't like u to change things around.. and if u do, i also heard u need to notify them

 

[LadyWolverine]

I agree. Drop it. I did the same thing with Calc 2, which I muddled through the first time before dropping it. The second time I took it, it was a breeze. I think it was a combination of a different instructor, and also being somewhat familiar with the material. Chem will be 10 times easier the second time around. Take it with a different prof - that may help, too.

 

[Rjuza333]

I am thinking about dropping my chem class. I am really dont want to, for the fear of being a semester behind in chem, but then again, I dont want to finish with a C either. I can drop the class without recieving a "w," meaning there would be no record of me taking the class. We have a chem test next Friday, which will likely be the grade determining whether I finish with a B or C. What should I do? Should I take the risk, keep the class, and try for a B, or play it safe by dropping it altogether and starting again in the spring?

I don't want to sound like an a$$, but I can think of one really easy way to boost your chemistry grade and overall GPA at the same time......lay off the SDN! Seriously, I see you on here more than almost anyone else (including myself, and I've already committed to a 5-step program for my addiction). These forums are addictive and can really begin to take up a lot of your time. I've watched over the past few months as you've started numerous threads (some really good ones I might add) but those posts have probably cost you a lot of time that you could have devoted to studying. If you want to raise your GPA, your chem grade, and improve your overall application, then delete the SDN hyperlink from your favorites list and head to the library instead of your computer desk.

Again, I don't want to sound like a jerk, but you're still early in the game (I believe you've stated multiple times that you are a freshman). So focus your academic energy now, on reaching your goals later.

Granted SDN is a better addication than alcohol or drugs, but it still consumes a lot of your time.

I hate preaching, but I hope this advice may help you.

 

[Chris127]

Actuall I may spend a total of 15 min on SDN a day. I dont really come on here and sit for an hour hitting refresh. I post, log off, and continue with my day. I wish my C was because of SDN, but it really isnt. Such a trivial habit as surfing the web doesnt cause one to do poorly in one specific subject (especially since I have 3 As and a B in my other subjects.)

 

[DrBowtie]

If you drop, why do you think that you would get higher?
Is your effort low? B4 dropping think about how you can do better next time and if you can do better.

 

[masterMood]

definitely drop. if a b is the highest you can get in gen chem at this point, drop it and retake it next semester. Then possibly consider taking it over the summer at the college or somewhere else.

 

[Nikki2002]

i stay in all my classes until the bitter bitter end

 

[wowzer]

i usually stick with the classes, but i had a difficult time last semester. i had to drop out of stats because significant personal events hurt me and my studying for two of the midterms. i did below average on them. i did withdraw after the deadline and was given a W on the transcript, and i did mark it on amcas but they seem to have taken it off.
in my case, i wasn't dropping becuase i just wasn't getting good grades, but I felt (and I believe) that the mental pressure from these events significantly and unfairly affected my performance on these exams.
The main point is, you should stick with your class unless you believe there is a serious obstacle to your doing well. Talk with the professor and the Dean of Student Affairs to figure out the best alternative. A W has no effect if it is jsut one (or two) and is buried within excellent grades in other classes during the term. In addition, a heavy courseload (i.e. 24 credits taht semester) will give enough reason to drop a class

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I'm actually shocked at people's responses. Are these the same people who think it's no big deal to have a couple Fs or Ds on their med school application? If that's the case what's so bad with a B (of the highest) in general chem? Personally i'd drop it unless you know you can get the B, but then again i'm not one who thought an app with Ds, or an F was no big deal.

 

[Siggy]

How can you drop without record this late in the semester? Strange Uni. policy?

Depends on the school. The school I go to is on the 10 week quarter system (10 weeks of class, 1 week of finals). You can drop up to the second week via online registration. You can drop up to the 6th week with an instructor signature (subject to each school's policy. School of bio, for example, requires you to drop by the online registration, thus you can't drop a class because of a grade). Up till Friday of 6th week, you do not even get a W on your transcript. It is like you never took the class. After 6th week you need the dean's signature and you get a W on your transcript.

 

[DrBowtie]

Depends on the school. The school I go to is on the 10 week quarter system (10 weeks of class, 1 week of finals). You can drop up to the second week via online registration. You can drop up to the 6th week with an instructor signature (subject to each school's policy. School of bio, for example, requires you to drop by the online registration, thus you can't drop a class because of a grade). Up till Friday of 6th week, you do not even get a W on your transcript. It is like you never took the class. After 6th week you need the dean's signature and you get a W on your transcript.

Pretty much same as mine. I guess since I am on semesters and have 4 weeks left I assumed it was really late for withdrawing without a W.

 

[mshheaddoc]

We can withdraw with a W up to the the week before finals. But this week is the deadline without an explanation. Also after this week if you are failing it will say W/F.

But to the OP. I wouldn't drop the class. Honestly, do you REALLY want to retake this class for ANOTHER 14 weeks? I got a B- in chem I and B in chem II. Just do better at chem II. One C is NOT the end all. If you do well from here on out that C will seem like a house from space. You can't really see it with your 3.5+ gpa. 4 credits vs. 120 means alot.

As some people comments previously, SDN has a habit of having "total gunner syndrome". "You can't have W's or F's, or D's, or even C+'s on your transcript and get into medical school" is a blatant lie. If your goal is to get into medical school, you have to keep working at it no matter how long it might take you. There are alot of overacheivers on SDN but there are many average people too. I wouldn't waste my money on dropping a class without a GOOD excuse. And getting a C isn't a good excuse in my book. 😎 Figure out what you did wrong, and DO NOT repeat it.

And this is my honest opinion on SDN 😀

 

[sunnyjohn]

If this is your only C, I'd keep that mug!

There is no way I'd sit in that class again another semester if I could eek out a C! If I hated it once I know I'm gonna really be in a foul mood the next semester.

 

[Shredder]

I am thinking about dropping my chem class. I am really dont want to, for the fear of being a semester behind in chem, but then again, I dont want to finish with a C either. I can drop the class without recieving a "w," meaning there would be no record of me taking the class. We have a chem test next Friday, which will likely be the grade determining whether I finish with a B or C. What should I do? Should I take the risk, keep the class, and try for a B, or play it safe by dropping it altogether and starting again in the spring?

drop and go for the A next time. theres plenty of time in college to take classes. actually it depends on if theres a 2nd part of the course--if so get the B then smash the 2nd part. i did that with orgo 1 and 2, where i got a C and an A, and it hasnt really come up in admissions

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

We can withdraw with a W up to the the week before finals. But this week is the deadline without an explanation. Also after this week if you are failing it will say W/F.

But to the OP. I wouldn't drop the class. Honestly, do you REALLY want to retake this class for ANOTHER 14 weeks? I got a B- in chem I and B in chem II. Just do better at chem II. One C is NOT the end all. If you do well from here on out that C will seem like a house from space. You can't really see it with your 3.5+ gpa. 4 credits vs. 120 means alot.

As some people comments previously, SDN has a habit of having "total gunner syndrome". "You can't have W's or F's, or D's, or even C+'s on your transcript and get into medical school" is a blatant lie. If your goal is to get into medical school, you have to keep working at it no matter how long it might take you. There are alot of overacheivers on SDN but there are many average people too. I wouldn't waste my money on dropping a class without a GOOD excuse. And getting a C isn't a good excuse in my book. 😎 Figure out what you did wrong, and DO NOT repeat it.

And this is my honest opinion on SDN 😀

Thats a nice policy. After the first week here you get a W if you drop until the deadline, which is a month before finals.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Thats a nice policy. After the first week here you get a W if you drop until the deadline, which is a month before finals.

well dropping = withdrawl after the first week. I should have clarified.

 

[tank you]

if its a pre-med req. course, then definitely drop and retake, i wish i would have done that with some of mine. 🙁

 

[odrade1]

Knowing when to admit defeat is an important skill. I withdrew from a class once when I forgot to take part of an exam! (The exam was in two parts, a take home (55%) and an in-class (45%) I flaked out and did the in-class part without picking up the take-home part. When the exams were returned I got up, marched my butt down to the registrar's office and withdrew). I wanted an A in the class and couldn't get it after that fiasco. This was my freshman year.

However, people who have too many W's on their transcript lose some of their attractiveness as applicants. You may want to see if your school has a grade replacement policy. My alma mater allows students to replace one grade on their transcript by re-taking the course.

Another consideration is this: if you are a freshman or sophomore, a W won't hurt your application, if the rest of your coursework is strong. If you are a junior and you had lots of C's, & W's in your first two years, I would sell my soul to get a B in the class, and try to turn things around for the remainder of my time in college. I might also re-think medicine, or at least get ready to take additional years of coursework while getting ready for the prospect of re-applying several years in a row.

(One of the things) the admissions committee wants to see that you are good at being a student, and good at learning science. This is evidenced by your MCAT scores, research, letters, and transcripts. If your overall transcript reflects this, then you will be o.k. If this W is a one-off, don't sweat it. If it is a trend, then you need to either change yourself or change your plans.

Good Luck!

 

[mshheaddoc]

Another consideration is this: if you are a freshman or sophomore, a W won't hurt your application, if the rest of your coursework is strong. If you are a junior and you had lots of C's, & W's in your first two years, I would sell my soul to get a B in the class, and try to turn things around for the remainder of my time in college. I might also re-think medicine, or at least get ready to take additional years of coursework while getting ready for the prospect of re-applying several years in a row.

(One of the things) the admissions committee wants to see that you are good at being a student, and good at learning science. This is evidenced by your MCAT scores, research, letters, and transcripts. If your overall transcript reflects this, then you will be o.k. If this W is a one-off, don't sweat it. If it is a trend, then you need to either change yourself or change your plans.

Good Luck!

I agree with your whole post but also, one C won't hurt him in the broad picture either. The time and money to retake a class can be expensive as well. I realize grades are one of the most important aspects but freshman year one or two low grades won't hurt. If the OP is doing that bad and this isn't his only low grade, maybe he needs to reconsider what he's doing or maybe he has the frosh diseases of studyitis 😉

I really don't see why a FRESHMAN should withdraw from a class he's going to get a C in.

 

[osli]

Man, people seem to really be making a big deal out of a "W" on a transcript. I think I had a W in my psych class simply because I decided around the second week of school that the schedule just wasn't very workable, and swapped it for an econ class. Never took a test, wasn't because of grades, tough course, or anything like that, just a latish decision to take a different class that semester for scheduling reasons. Left a W on my transcript. Who cares? If they ask, I'll tell them what happened, but I've honestly never though one second about it until this thread, and I seriously doubt any adcomms will either.

 

[odrade1]

Man, people seem to really be making a big deal out of a "W" on a transcript. I think I had a W in my psych class simply because I decided around the second week of school that the schedule just wasn't very workable, and swapped it for an econ class. Never took a test, wasn't because of grades, tough course, or anything like that, just a latish decision to take a different class that semester for scheduling reasons. Left a W on my transcript. Who cares? If they ask, I'll tell them what happened, but I've honestly never though one second about it until this thread, and I seriously doubt any adcomms will either.

You are right; one (or a couple) W's don't mean much by themselves. Context is important, however, and when a transcript is reviewed it does tell part of the story of the student. (In my current job I review applicants for university student teaching positions, and their transcript is part of what we consider when deciding who to grant interviews to). When I see one or two W's, it doesn't matter much, unless the W's were in the most recent semester, or if they occur in a pattern. I see a fair number of students who register for 5 or 6 classes, W in one class, get a C or D in another, and A's & B's in the rest. Sometimes this is what every semester looks like on their transcript. We don't hire people like that, and I bet you that med schools don't accept applicants that display that pattern either. If you can only do well in classes that you enjoy, and do badly if you hate the teacher or have time management issues, I wouldn't want you working for me or operating on me!
As you said, infrequent W's don't mean anything, and can be explained away easily. (In fact, I wasn't asked to explain my W away in any of my interviews). But a habit of W's with average grades spells danger if you want to be competitive. The good news is that freshmen can fix their record by doing good work the rest of their college careers. I skipped most of my classes and drank too much for the first two terms in college, and my grades in that period reflect that I was a different person then. The rest of my college work was exemplary, and as a result I didn't hear one peep out of the admissions committee people about my transcript or my naughty year.

Withdraw if you think retaking it will give you an A, and you can afford the time and money. Stay in and bust your a$$ to get a B if you must. As was said a post or two ago, even a C won't hurt you if it isn't part of a trend. H@ll, my partner had a couple of C's on his transcript, and he got in on the beginning of his first application cycle.