How bad are WF's on a transcript?

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Nevadapharm

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I'm trying to make the decision to drop a class or not. The school I will probably attend next year doesn't require this class. If I ended up not going to this school next year, I would just retake the class next fall (some of the other schools I would like to attend require this class). So basically, I just don't want to take the class because I will probably not need it (and it would potentially be unnecessary work), but will it hurt me to take the WF on my transcript if I don't attend that program next year and instead apply to schools that do require the class? Will those other programs look down upon that if I do take that route? (sorry for the confusing question)
 
If the rest of your academic portfolio shows competence then I doubt it'll be a big issue either way. We all have blemishes on our records (except SHC & Delano, those academic heavyweights) including W/WFs, Is and C/D/F grades.

Unless a particular institution has a big problem with W-Failing marks, it really won't be an issue (unless it's chronic).

But, to be sure... you could always contact the admissions counselor at your prospective schools.
 
Depends. Have you dropped any other classes in the past?

No I haven't, this would be the first. And it's not because I'm failing (i'm sitting right around a low B right now) but I just don't want to do all the work if I more than likely won't even need the class, because as of now I will be attending a program that doesn't require the class next year (but like I said there is a small chance that I might decide to wait another year and re-apply next cycle). But do you all think that this would be ok? I guess I could explain next year (if I re-apply) that I didn't think I needed the class?
 
O and I should add that if I did decide to re-apply next cycle, I would have this class done and re-taken by the end of the fall semester.
 
You should double check with the program that you are accepted and might attend next year. Although it varies from school to school, some expect satisfactory progress in all the planned courses you submitted in the academic update for pharmCAS, even those that aren't prereqs.
 
I'm trying to make the decision to drop a class or not. The school I will probably attend next year doesn't require this class. If I ended up not going to this school next year, I would just retake the class next fall (some of the other schools I would like to attend require this class). So basically, I just don't want to take the class because I will probably not need it (and it would potentially be unnecessary work), but will it hurt me to take the WF on my transcript if I don't attend that program next year and instead apply to schools that do require the class? Will those other programs look down upon that if I do take that route? (sorry for the confusing question)

I don't know how it works at your school, but at mine, a WN is the same as an F(it just doesn't look as bad on a transcript). The next time you take it, (say you make an A), a 0.0 and a 4.0 will average out to a C, 2.0. However, that is a huge blow on your overall GPA. Since its not a pre-req it won't be as bad to pharmacy schools...

If its not to late, drop it ASAP, before the drop date so it will be a W. A 'W' will NOT affect your GPA and if you retake the class I believe it is erased forever and your new grade will replace it.

I cannot say for sure whether or not your pharmacy school can see if you have a 'W' or a 'WN' on your transcript even if you retook it. I don't think they would really care unless you dropped it several times.

Hope I helped..Good luck with your studies.
 
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I guess it depends on your school. I was in the same situation where work was cutting into school and I knew it was impossible to get an A or B in physics. So I debated the W vs. poor grade. I decided to stick it out because in my mind a W looks bad because it means you couldn't follow through with something when things were tough. However in my situation I can retake the class and the last grade will show. So I ended up getting a C-. It threw off my whole schedule but I can retake it.
 
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