how will adcoms view a withdraw on transcript?

Started by Tofurkey
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Tofurkey

Senior Member
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hello,

I tried really hard, but I may have to drop organic I this semester. How will adcoms look at a W on my transcript? I am taking bio I and phy I this semester as well. I expect to get B's in both those classes.

I am a post-bacc, incidentally, taking my pre-meds for the first time. I have a 3.6 post-bacc science GPA thus far.

Thanks,

Tofurkey
 
i had a couple W's and im in school now. however, you're in a post-bacc so i assume they'd look at those grades more heavily. I really would do my best to ace the post bacc program.
 
Just don't make a habit of it and they won't give two ****s about it. Some will give one, but none will give both.

- Quid 😉

(seriously, don't sweat it)
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I had some W's from back in the day. I think if you can justify why you have them, it's not a big deal. No one is perfect, and we all make adjustments in our plan along the way. I think the adcomms know that. Keep up your excellent performance otherwise.

Good luck!
 
One of my interviewers and I discussed the withdrawals on my transcripts at length... But I had a bunch of them as an undergrad. He said the committee looks at any "pattern" of withdrawals very seriously... so be careful with them. Especially if you are non trad., since a big question you will have to answer is one of dedication to a chosen career path. I would think one wouldnt kill you, but make sure its necessary
 
I had an entire semester of W's; five in all, and I am getting interview invites.

It really depends on:

-Do you have a good explanation for dropping (family crisis, monetary reasons, etc.)
-What does the rest of your record look like (B's and C's, or mostly A's with some B's)
-What your postbacc GPA trend looks like; going up or starting to crash as you get into upperdivision courses, such as genetics or organic chem.

Just my .02$ 🙂
 
Hello

Some schools give you the option of switching as a listner rather than taking the W, this may require a small fee though. Maybe you can lookinto that. As others stated, Alot of W's will look back. As a listner you can at least finish out the class and get all the notes and exams.

Hope this helps.
 
don't worry about it...unless you've got lots of them. i had three (over five years of school) and have not been questioned about it and have been accepted...so don't worry 🙂