Reason for withdrawing from a class...what should I say in interviews?

[physiologist]

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Hi SDN,

I have one more interview (in a week) and I just withdrew from a class today.

It was a class I was really excited about taking. It was a small seminar, which I thought was fantastic.... until I realized that I dislike the prof, and the prof disliked me.

First of all, it was my first seminar and I had no idea what a seminar was... so I wound up doing it all wrong. The professor reprimanded me for "not steering the discussion in the right direction". Also I had trouble with learning how seminars work (like how people take turns talking without raising their hands and being called on... like how do the cues go anyway?) So my prof gave me flack for interrupting (which I didn't even realize I was doing). At any rate, the class is 40% participation grade and I didn't think I had a chance of doing well (getting A- or above). The professor and I also had a few ideological disagreements which led me to think she wouldn't grade me objectively on the papers (she really had it in for me, I don't know why - I have a good rapport with every prof I've ever spoken to). This prof is just particularly uptight and a perfectionist - she wants the seminar to go exactly a certain way and when it veers off she gets upset. The prof suggested I withdraw because it's a graduate level seminar and she told me experience with the seminar format is expected...

Obviously given the small-group nature of medicine, telling the truth would be a bad idea, right?

It was super reading-intensive too. Also I don't need it to graduate on time. I just thought it would be fun. My four other classes are hard upper-level science courses that are a total handful, so the 500pgs a week that this seminar required was ludicrous (and she made sure we read them all because we had to send discussion questions on each reading every week).

Also, one of my favourite professors offered me an independent research project in his lab for the summer for credit, so I could always say that I dropped the class because of the independent project opportunity that would be for credit...right? (And it is for credit).

What reason should I tell interviewers for withdrawing? I'm kind of sad about it but I felt that for my GPA, this wasn't a smart move. She had told me this Tuesday that as it stands the damage done was so great I cannot get an A- or an A. Staying in a class where the prof dislikes you is never a good idea.

EDIT: This would be my very first W on my transcript.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

I doubt it will even be mentioned but if you have to explain yourself, just say you weren't enjoying the structure of the class or material as much as you had hoped and so you decided to swap it out for the research credits. Done and done.

Hi SDN,

I have one more interview (in a week) and I just withdrew from a class today.

It was a class I was really excited about taking. It was a small seminar, which I thought was fantastic.... until I realized that I dislike the prof, and the prof disliked me.

First of all, it was my first seminar and I had no idea what a seminar was... so I wound up doing it all wrong. The professor reprimanded me for "not steering the discussion in the right direction". Also I had trouble with learning how seminars work (like how people take turns talking without raising their hands and being called on... like how do the cues go anyway?) So my prof gave me flack for interrupting (which I didn't even realize I was doing). At any rate, the class is 40% participation grade and I didn't think I had a chance of doing well (getting A- or above). The professor and I also had a few ideological disagreements which led me to think she wouldn't grade me objectively on the papers (she really had it in for me, I don't know why - I have a good rapport with every prof I've ever spoken to). This prof is just particularly uptight and a perfectionist - she wants the seminar to go exactly a certain way and when it veers off she gets upset. The prof suggested I withdraw because it's a graduate level seminar and she told me experience with the seminar format is expected...

Obviously given the small-group nature of medicine, telling the truth would be a bad idea, right?

It was super reading-intensive too. Also I don't need it to graduate on time. I just thought it would be fun. My four other classes are hard upper-level science courses that are a total handful, so the 500pgs a week that this seminar required was ludicrous (and she made sure we read them all because we had to send discussion questions on each reading every week).

Also, one of my favourite professors offered me an independent research project in his lab for the summer for credit, so I could always say that I dropped the class because of the independent project opportunity that would be for credit...right?

What reason should I tell interviewers for withdrawing? I'm kind of sad about it but I felt that for my GPA, this wasn't a smart move. Staying in a class where the prof dislikes you is never a good idea.

 

[MedPR]

I like threads that blame professors.

It probably won't even come up

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[coffeesnob]

You don't have to tell your interviewers unless asked. I had three Ws on my transcript. They were all non-science classes that were not required for my major or graduation. I signed up, showed up and did not feel that I could commit to those classes so I withdrew. I explained them in my secondary.

If Ws are not from major science classes like orgo, chem, bio, you don't have to worry.

 

[ClotBuster]

it probably won't even come up seeing as its not on the transcript you sent to amcas, I have 2 W's on my transcript that were never brought up in my interviews. as long u don't show a consistent pattern of withdrawing classes/carrying light workload they dont mind. Good luck with the interview

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

 

[physiologist]

I like threads that blame professors.

It probably won't even come up

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

It actually did in my last interview. They were happy I took the class. -facepalm-

Though my research project will be on the same subject matter as the class.

I'm not blaming the prof. I blame myself for being unable to adapt to the new format quickly enough. The prof being very strict and nitpicky didn't help. The class was on some very contentious issues yet she was so afraid of offending people and keeping a "safe space" that it always felt like walking on eggshells. And she didn't allow anything political despite the topic being very political in nature (tied to politics especially in the modern day). I kept slipping on that one. I just didn't know what exactly she wanted from me... it was like a game of taboo!

And when she said she is a tough grader, I figured I'd quit before I have to hand in a paper. My transcript simply cannot handle another B, especially given how work-intensive this class is... to work so hard just to get a B? Not worth it in my opinion. Especially since the prof I'm working with, in the same field, is bound to give me an A (he did before).

As it stands I think I will say that I was offered a research position studying the same thing I'd be learning in the class so I felt it would be redundant, and I didn't like the format of the class as it wasn't what I expected.

 

[GorillaPanic]

I like threads that blame professors.

It probably won't even come up

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

I like threads that MedPR doesn't respond to.

Except... they don't exist.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[IslandStyle808]

I like threads that blame professors.

It probably won't even come up

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

Well if they suck, they suck. Not the student's fault.

 

[MedPR]

I like threads that MedPR doesn't respond to.

Except... they don't exist.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Well that's just not true.

 

[amazing tekkers]

I like threads that MedPR doesn't respond to.

Except... they don't exist.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Its always good to take a freshman-based seminars during your early undergrad years as you can get a good intro to these things.

 

[physiologist]

It actually did in my last interview. They were happy I took the class. -facepalm-

Though my research project will be on the same subject matter as the class.

I'm not blaming the prof. I blame myself for being unable to adapt to the new format quickly enough. The prof being very strict and nitpicky didn't help. The class was on some very contentious issues yet she was so afraid of offending people and keeping a "safe space" that it always felt like walking on eggshells. And she didn't allow anything political despite the topic being very political in nature (tied to politics especially in the modern day). I kept slipping on that one. I just didn't know what exactly she wanted from me... it was like a game of taboo!

And when she said she is a tough grader, I figured I'd quit before I have to hand in a paper. My transcript simply cannot handle another B, especially given how work-intensive this class is... to work so hard just to get a B? Not worth it in my opinion. Especially since the prof I'm working with, in the same field, is bound to give me an A (he did before).

As it stands I think I will say that I was offered a research position studying the same thing I'd be learning in the class so I felt it would be redundant, and I didn't like the format of the class as it wasn't what I expected.

I wasn't allowed, as I entered as a sophomore due to too many AP credits (I took upper levels to compensate for that though). My school wouldn't let me take any freshman courses.

 

[ericksonj15]

.

 

[EmergencyMonkey]

I think honesty is always the best policy. If it comes up at all, which it probably won't, you tell the truth. We can't always get along with everyone and we don't have to like every single professor we come across. Differences in personality and conflicts are what drive us to become better people. Be up front and honest because people can see when someone is trying to hide something. Good luck!
______________
visit the monkey at EmergencyMonkey.com

 

[2StethoscopeZ]

Well that's just not true.

I've been browsing these forums for about 3 years, and recently more frequently since I'm actually in college now. I can honestly say I can't recall a thread in the pre med allo forums that you didn't post in.

And thats truuuuuuuuuuuuu

 

[WompyWomperton]

I've been browsing these forums for about 3 years, and recently more frequently since I'm actually in college now. I can honestly say I can't recall a thread in the pre med allo forums that you didn't post in.

And thats truuuuuuuuuuuuu