how will dropping a class and going below full time status look to medical schools?

[apoorvads]

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Hi, so currently I'm a second semester freshman Business major/pre-med undergrad student at my state university. I'm enrolled in Calc 2 right now, and I've been struggling a lot in this class. I've already failed two exams and am doing poorly on homework assignments as well. There's definitely a strong chance I might fail this class. The deadline for dropping this class with a W on my transcript is April 4th, and I'm not sure what to do. I want to drop the class and take it over the summer so it doesn't affect my GPA, however I'm wondering how a W will look to medical schools. Most people on other threads say a W or two won't make a huge difference, however, if I drop this class, I will be dropping to 10 credit hours for the last month of this semester, which is considered a part time student status. How will this look to medical schools? Should I just stick it out and most probably fail the class and have it count toward my GPA, or drop it, take a W, drop to part time status, and take it over the summer?

 

[eteshoe]

In the grand scheme of things, a W won't hurt you. I suggest you withdraw and really assess your weaknesses and draft up a plan to succeed. Then retake the class. Taking 1 summer course is fine but your attitude seems to indicate that you're not really going to change your approach to the course - just take it in such a way that it doesn't affect your GPA. While the GPA is important, you will encounter other tough courses (for example physics, ochem, etc) that are pre-med pre-reqs and you won't be able to just take them in the summer. You need to make sure you attend office hrs, utilize your tutoring center, and do tons of practice problems. That is essentially the way to beat most of these tough courses.

 

[jqueb29]

Hi, so currently I'm a second semester freshman Business major/pre-med undergrad student at my state university. I'm enrolled in Calc 2 right now, and I've been struggling a lot in this class. I've already failed two exams and am doing poorly on homework assignments as well. There's definitely a strong chance I might fail this class. The deadline for dropping this class with a W on my transcript is April 4th, and I'm not sure what to do. I want to drop the class and take it over the summer so it doesn't affect my GPA, however I'm wondering how a W will look to medical schools. Most people on other threads say a W or two won't make a huge difference, however, if I drop this class, I will be dropping to 10 credit hours for the last month of this semester, which is considered a part time student status. How will this look to medical schools? Should I just stick it out and most probably fail the class and have it count toward my GPA, or drop it, take a W, drop to part time status, and take it over the summer?

A W looks a million times better than an F. Drop the class and make sure you get As in the rest of your classes this semester. They likely won't hold it against you if you only have 10 hours this semester but get a 4.0; but if you only have 10 hours and get a B or two, that's not gonna look good at all.

 

[apoorvads]

In the grand scheme of things, a W won't hurt you. I suggest you withdraw and really assess your weaknesses and draft up a plan to succeed. Then retake the class. Taking 1 summer course is fine but your attitude seems to indicate that you're not really going to change your approach to the course - just take it in such a way that it doesn't affect your GPA. While the GPA is important, you will encounter other tough courses (for example physics, ochem, etc) that are pre-med pre-reqs and you won't be able to just take them in the summer. You need to make sure you attend office hrs, utilize your tutoring center, and do tons of practice problems. That is essentially the way to beat most of these tough courses.

I didn't realize I came off like that, but I can assure you I'm definitely trying to figure out where I went wrong in this class so I never repeat it again. Thanks for the advice🙂