How bad will 'Withdrawl's look on dental school application?

[Dentalist]

Hey guys,

I am currently finishing my second year of college and I have total of three 'W's so far. One from community college when I was in high school and two from first year. Is this a big deal? Did anyone get into dental school with more than three 'W's? If so, did they ask you on the interview? Thanks.

Dentalist

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[primerz]

i know someone who got in with 5 W's. It's rare but it happens. Just try not getting anymore, and finish your classes off strong.

 

[preludexl]

Originally posted by primerz
i know someone who got in with 5 W's. It's rare but it happens. Just try not getting anymore, and finish your classes off strong.

👍

 

[scandalouslj]

I had 4 and got into Penn, but 3 of them were in the same semester, and the other one was a bs class. I treally dpends what classes you dropped, and if you can explain it. You should be ok, but def do not get anymore.

 

[The Musketeer]

I think it is beneficial for members to also state their GPA as well as the number of withdraws because I believe the best way to counter the 'Ws' is to have a high GPA to lessen the suspicion of the adcoms.

 

[grettlin2]

This is my previous post:
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If you feel frustrated, just drop it. Having less than 3 Ws does not mean anything. I have 2 Ws, and no one asked me about this in my 11 interviews. Don't worry.

I think the most important thing is to keep your GPA high. Biochem is not a requirement in many schools, except some. As long as you complete all pre-requisite, have good DAT score, and have high GPA, then you will get in.

It might happen that computers would move you into "another" category if you do not meet a certain GPA. At that time, you don't even have the chance to explain your GPA. In my opinion, high GPA is the most important principle.
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I had the same concern and actually I did worry about my two Ws last year. What I can say is don't worry about it and just keep your GPA as high as possible.

I do appreciate the people on this forum answering the same question about Withdrowing for me last year. They gave me more confidence through the application process. The result turns out that few (<= 3) Ws would not affect you. Take it easy.
😉

 

[ItsGavinC]

Incompletes and unofficial withdrawals on a transcript are detrimental.

Withdrawals, however, are detrimental only when your transcript contains numerous W?s and it is apparent that you are withdrawing from difficult classes to keep from receiving undesirable grades.

 

[Dentalist]

I withdrew my history class because of schedule conflict. However, I withdrew 1st quarter of physics and biology because I was not doing well in class. I got an A when I retook them. Also, my GPA is around 3.7 Am I screwed because I withdrew these core pre-req classes for dental school? 🙁

Thank you for your comments,
Dentalist

 

[The Musketeer]

Try to take some upper level physics and biology and get good scores on them to show adcoms that the Ws (from 1st quarter)were not due to your inability to master these subjects. However, if you don't think you can achieve good marks on them, just don't take it (don't want more Ws to accumulate). I am sure if you keep your GPA where it is now and do well on the DAT, you will get in somewhere.

 

[briansle]

HAHA this is weird, I posted a thread today about my situation which is very similar to yours. Since, it is about taking a C or a W for my biochem class.
Your GPA is awesome man, I wouldn't think you'll have any problems.

 

[RaiderNation]

And like Gavin said...it only really looks bad if you keep withdrawing from harder classes...making it painfully obvious you are avoiding bad grades. But...if you're going to flunk a class...I would recommend dropping it and taking a W. I have 3 W's...all in 100 classes...so I'm not too worried about it.

 

[jes1ca]

I had a WP in Calculus II, but I took it again the next semester and got an A. But I had something really terrible happen to me that semester that made my life really difficult that I explained in my AADSAS essay so it wasn't a problem and probably the fact that I have been through something like that helped me get into dental school.

On the other hand, I also have a C+ in Economics. This grade never came up in any of my interviews. I would recommend sticking with the class and trying to put your best efforts forth. I was doing poorly in Physics II and worked my butt off for a B-. Just stick with it and let your poor performance motivate you to perform better. Good luck!

Jessica

 

[sxr71]

Originally posted by Dentalist
I withdrew my history class because of schedule conflict. However, I withdrew 1st quarter of physics and biology because I was not doing well in class. I got an A when I retook them. Also, my GPA is around 3.7 Am I screwed because I withdrew these core pre-req classes for dental school? 🙁

Thank you for your comments,
Dentalist

I would say you have no problem. Your GPA is high and all your withdrawals are excusable as first quarter "teething pains."


edited for stupid grammatical error.