Human Anatomy: should I drop with a W on my transcript or accept a C?

[Lovemychihuahua]

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Hey guys, just a little bit about me. I have my double bachelors in Biology and Spanish, and I went back to school to take a few prerequisites to apply for the Masters of Occupational Therapy program. I was volunteering in South America and came back right after classes had already started and that was when I decided I want to do occupational therapy. I enrolled in fast track classes (developmental psych, and statistics) and finished them with A's and completed the 40 hours requirements of shadowing. However, I haven't taken Human Anatomy or Human Physiology because my undergrad was in Cell and Molecular Biology specifically. So, my dilemma was that I wanted to apply this coming year but I had to take human anatomy and human phys plus a personality theories class in order to apply. I applied and end up getting wait-listed. I currently have a high B in Phys which I'm confident I can pull up to an A because there are 4 tests left. However, I have a C in human anatomy and will have to make A's on the four tests that's left in order to make a B in the class. With only 4 weeks of school left, I'm afraid of having a C on my transcript if I don't get into Ot school this year. However, if I drop now, I will have a W on my transcript and risk the possibility of being pulled off the wait list and not being able to attend anyway. What should I do? Drop and get a W on my transcript, however focus on physiology and make and A then retake the anatomy class in the fall in hope of an A or B, and reapply... Or stick with it and risk getting a C in anatomy and B in physiology...?

 

[pherrera]

Hey guys, just a little bit about me. I have my double bachelors in Biology and Spanish, and I went back to school to take a few prerequisites to apply for the Masters of Occupational Therapy program. I was volunteering in South America and came back right after classes had already started and that was when I decided I want to do occupational therapy. I enrolled in fast track classes (developmental psych, and statistics) and finished them with A's and completed the 40 hours requirements of shadowing. However, I haven't taken Human Anatomy or Human Physiology because my undergrad was in Cell and Molecular Biology specifically. So, my dilemma was that I wanted to apply this coming year but I had to take human anatomy and human phys plus a personality theories class in order to apply. I applied and end up getting wait-listed. I currently have a high B in Phys which I'm confident I can pull up to an A because there are 4 tests left. However, I have a C in human anatomy and will have to make A's on the four tests that's left in order to make a B in the class. With only 4 weeks of school left, I'm afraid of having a C on my transcript if I don't get into Ot school this year. However, if I drop now, I will have a W on my transcript and risk the possibility of being pulled off the wait list and not being able to attend anyway. What should I do? Drop and get a W on my transcript, however focus on physiology and make and A then retake the anatomy class in the fall in hope of an A or B, and reapply... Or stick with it and risk getting a C in anatomy and B in physiology...?

Where are you from? What school are you applying too?
Most schools require at least a B in the pre-reqs. So either way you will have to re-take it if you get a C or drop it.
Anatomy and Physiology is a big class to look at because most MOT programs begin with the Gross anatomy. If you can't make at least a B in that in undergrad they'll think you won't be able to handle the graduate level. Hope this helped?

 

[mlc54]

I agree with pherrera, Anatomy and Physiology are both important classes for OT, and I know programs consider how well you do in these classes specifically (especially since nearly every program requires them).

But if your program doesn't start until the fall you could always see if you can retake anatomy over the summer? It really depends on your program, especially what they want as a minimum for pre-reqs. Especially since they have the right to "take back" your waitlist/acceptance if you don't fulfill pre-req requirements.

Sorry this can't be more positive 🙁. Good luck!!

 

[Lovemychihuahua]

That is very true. I thought about how important anatomy is since ot school do start out with it and you cleared it up for me. Thanks!

 

[Lovemychihuahua]

It's been almost a year now and I thought I should update in case anyone else are going through the same situation as mine. I did ended up dropping human anatomy, and focused on human physiology and psychology class that semester and pull through with A's. It was my first W ever on my transcript, broke my heart, retook human anatomy with cadavers in the fall and made an A.

So... What I learned, never ever take human anatomy and human physiology together, and schools care more about the letter grade (focus on getting B or higher) than one W on your transcript. Do what is best for your Gpa (of course with common sense. Don't go dropping classes every semester). Good luck!

 

[CurlyHairedGirl]

It depends on your situation about dropping classes every semester. I've had to switch around classes I'm taking a lot when I couldn't balance working a demanding job with taking classes in accelerated formats. Summer semester is 12 weeks, but the school seems to think that it's easiest for professors to just take their 16 week class and condense it into 8 weeks. Because I'm trying to meet the "one missing prerequisite" of multiple schools, I've added, dropped, and switched sections for 5 classes this semester, but am hoping that I only end up having to take two.

 

[sb0106]

My human anatomy and physiology classes were combined. Then I took another Physiology class that focused strictly on phys.
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1&2, Physiology of physical activity! I was a kinesiology major at Temple University. I guess it's easier if they are combined? idk....still a very hard class.

 

[CoastalOT]

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[Lovemychihuahua]

You did the right thing. I would have dropped also. My advice would be to explain WHY you dropped and got a W if you are asked: maybe you are overworked right now and didn't have the time to dedicate that you need for a better grade? Maybe you have pressing family issues? In either case a W is certainly better than a C in anatomy. I got a B in Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and I feel as if it is continuing to bite me. Every time I see those B's I feel lower than the rent on a burning building.

I'm just curious, why do you feel that way with a B? Anatomy and Phys are very challenging classes! I think a B is very good (of course, an A is what everyone hopes for), but that's excellent for your first time taking those subjects, I'd think.

Are you planning on applying to graduate school with a competitive Gpa?

 

[Lovemychihuahua]

You did the right thing. I would have dropped also. My advice would be to explain WHY you dropped and got a W if you are asked: maybe you are overworked right now and didn't have the time to dedicate that you need for a better grade? Maybe you have pressing family issues? In either case a W is certainly better than a C in anatomy. I got a B in Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and I feel as if it is continuing to bite me. Every time I see those B's I feel lower than the rent on a burning building.

I see that you attend OSU. I'm also from Oklahoma! I attended OCU in okc. Hello fellow okie 🙂

 

[CoastalOT]

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[Chanandler Bong]

I am potentially facing the same situation. Thanks for the update, Lovemychihuahua... glad to know it is not the end of the world, even though it kind of feels that way in the moment.

 

[101faith]

It's been almost a year now and I thought I should update in case anyone else are going through the same situation as mine. I did ended up dropping human anatomy, and focused on human physiology and psychology class that semester and pull through with A's. It was my first W ever on my transcript, broke my heart, retook human anatomy with cadavers in the fall and made an A.

So... What I learned, never ever take human anatomy and human physiology together, and schools care more about the letter grade (focus on getting B or higher) than one W on your transcript. Do what is best for your Gpa (of course with common sense. Don't go dropping classes every semester). Good luck!

Hello,

I am considered going into Nursing school and would appreciate some feedback. I also obtained my B.S in a different field in 2015, but decided to take Human Anatomy the summer and winter before graduating. I ended up dropping with a W both times. At that time I was working and taking 2 other courses. I was also going to pass with a C but decide to drop with a W. Now, that I am able to commit 100% to nursing school I need to pass my PreRequisite classes but my question now is: will nursing school accept me if I have 2 Ws in my transcript at a different Institution?

Much appreciated!

 

[occupational therapy]

hey, this is a sub for OT, so I'm not sure if it's the same for nursing. You should definitely reach out to the nursing sub and see what those students have to say. Also, you can always reach out to the programs you're applying to and talk with an admissions counselor about your situation. Good luck! I'm sure that you will find a way to get into a school!

 

[epsoftball9]

Lol awkward so I got a C on a&p II but have plenty of things around me that make me a competitive applicant. So should I just give up on OT in its entirety?

 

[rcjhgirl]

Lol awkward so I got a C on a&p II but have plenty of things around me that make me a competitive applicant. So should I just give up on OT in its entirety?

You should never give up. But just know that most schools do not accept C's for pre req classes

 

[BeOT]

I dropped my A&P II class over the summer because I wasn't doing well (a 16 week course in 6 doesn't work for me). In interviews I have explained that I just didn't feel like I was learning in the summer course (I was just cramming for tests but not actually learning anything) so I decided to drop the course. I am retaking it now and I have an A. So I think during interviews you can just say what happened and what you did/plan to do to do better in the future. Interviewers are forgiving (most of the time) if you have a justification for what happened and a plan to do better. Also, if you did well in A&P I make sure to mention that.

 

[LAtoSDtoOT]

Depending on the school you won't be able to retake the class with a C. I would check the guidlines. You'll need at least a B to be considered, typically. I would recommend taking anatomy at a 4 yr university setting, if you have anatomy again as part of your graduate curriculum (as I did at LLU) you'll be happy you did.

 

[nOTeworthy]

I have so many W's on my transcript. I even have an F, which I re-took, of course. I took all my prerequisites at a community college. I chose to pursue OT after I completed my bachelor's degree. It didn't hold me back from getting accepted to a program my first try, so do whatever you feel is best. Your grades may not weigh as heavily with all schools as you think. Other things factor in. I'm not that 4.0 applicant, so it's not everything.

 

[nOTableHOPE]

I have so many W's on my transcript. I even have an F, which I re-took, of course. I took all my prerequisites at a community college. I chose to pursue OT after I completed my bachelor's degree. It didn't hold me back from getting accepted to a program my first try, so do whatever you feel is best. Your grades may not weigh as heavily with all schools as you think. Other things factor in. I'm not that 4.0 applicant, so it's not everything.

This sounds like me. I’m agonizing over having another W on my post-bacc (2005 BA grad) commcollege transcript because I’m fielding a straight C in Anatomy/Lab 4 credit hours. And I need to pass to take next semester Physiology/Lab 4 credit hours. I know I’ll need to retake but should I drop or stick it out and deal with the GPA drag?

 

[nOTeworthy]

This sounds like me. I’m agonizing over having another W on my post-bacc (2005 BA grad) commcollege transcript because I’m fielding a straight C in Anatomy/Lab 4 credit hours. And I need to pass to take next semester Physiology/Lab 4 credit hours. I know I’ll need to retake but should I drop or stick it out and deal with the GPA drag?

If you can drop it, drop it. You're gonna retake it anyways. At the end of the day, a "W" looks better than a "C". I made an "F". Mainly because I forgot to drop after I signed up to retake the course. I would've had a "C", otherwise. LoL Oops. I didn't explain myself in the application process. None of the schools I applied to seemed to care all that much. I retook it and made a "B" in AP I and an "A" in AP II. If anything, you could stick it out just to see what's left of the material so you could use it to your advantage the second round. But otherwise, I'd just drop. I doubt either option will hurt you. Like I said, I maxed out my withdrawals and had an "F". You'll be fine.

 

[lilbunnies]

I talked to one of my professors who is also admissions coordinator for my program the other day and she said that the if a person drops a class and retakes it, it may look good because it shows you’re really working and you’re dedicated. Just a thought. Rigor of the classes you are taking matters as well even if you didn’t have the best gpa. They take it all into consideration.