Should I withdraw or keep the C?

[RX anxiety]

Would you retake a class and end up with the same grade or would you rather withdraw from the class, which would result in a total of 4 w's? I just feel hesitant in withdrawing from the class because for all my 4 years at UCI, I never withdrew from classes. However, after graduating uci and taking courses at a cc in just these two semesters, I have already gotten 3 w's. The most realistic grade I can get in the class is a C and I re-took this course because I got a C for the same course at UCI. Should I take the C or withdraw for a 4th w? Please help!
I have a UC gpa of 2.644!

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[cinnamoroll12]

What class is it anyways?

 

[tahi193]

I would keep the C. Not trying to be offensive, but I would imagine excessive W's look like you're unwilling accept responsibility for your actions. I would only take a W if I had a good reason to back it up -- like illness or a family death that would keep me from performing my best. However, if you think you can give an explanation for the W then it might be worth taking that and not having a C applied to your GPA.

 

[255942]

Unless there is an extenuating circumstance, I rarely suggest taking a W. This topic was addressed in my thread. PM if questions.

 

[bklyngirl]

Admissions Committee:

I applied to a rolling admissions school in January (I know that it was kind of late, but I wanted to wait for my Orgo 1 grade/Fall Semester before moving forward), and received an interview invite in February for mid April.) I was so excited, and thought I did well, but received notification almost two weeks later that I was placed on the alternate list. Supposedly, the letter states that there is no rank, and I've noticed on this forum that some other schools state that they too don't rank their waiting lists.
I find it hard to believe that their waiting lists are not ranked, and would like your opinion on this. I was also wondering if you could provide an estimate on approximately how many students are held on a waitlist, and the percentage of those who actually get called off of them.
Thanks in advance for your insight.

 

[tomk]

I think whats more important than the W or C, is your focus. Its time to reevaluate if pharmacy is for you.

the only explanation for getting a C twice, once at UCI, and once in a CC, is that

a. You are not really dedicated to making it to pharmacy school. Therefore you aren't really studying and doing what it takes (ie. get good grades and study) to make it to pharm school. Believe it or not, people with a 3.7 aren't that much smarter than the rest, they just work alot harder (well they may be just a tiny bit smarter, but its their study habits that get them the good grades)

b. you are going through a family crisis and will have to explain this in your essay on why you got a C twice. (i really doubt this is the case, since your gpa is already a 2.6, and withdrawn from 3 prereq classes at a CC, which im assuming you've already took at uci.)

c. you are not smart enough.


take a step back, reevaluate what you are going to do. a gpa of 2.6 is really bad, and it looks worse that you have 3 w's at a CC after attending UCI, and another C in a class you already took.

If you think you have what it takes and are willing to put in the work, retake the classes you need and start getting A's. If you can't do that, I'd suggest looking towards another career.

just being honest. Wanna save you some time, it seems you haven't really thought things through, because if you had, you wouldn't get a C in a class you already took, or have been withdrawing from classes at a CC.

if you are under hardship and thats the reason for your bad grades, you better make the adcom members who read your essay cry.

 

[pcproduct]

My answer to this question depends on the class. Is it a major 4-credits class like organic chemistry, or is it something much less important? I recently fought the urge to drop a class I was failing this past semester and walked out with a C, but it's just a 1-credit lab. If the class isn't worth more than 3 credits, I wouldn't drop.

 

[RX anxiety]

Hi everyone, thank you all for your reply!
The class I am debating on sticking with a C or a W is a molecular biology class. Just like some of you have suggested, sticking it out with a C is better than a W was what I also thought. My main concern is the possibility of me walking on the line close to a D, which would be a grade lower than what I got the first time I took it. I am just afraid that I might end up with a D so that's why I was debating to withdraw. So I really don't know what to do....
I really do need to reevaluate my next step carefully... and really consider what tomk mentioned. I would greatly appreciate any help and true words!

 

[cinnamoroll12]

Are you taking the class at Cypress? That is one of the few CCs in the area that offer Molecular Biology.

 

[RX anxiety]

No, I am taking the course at OCC..maybe I should try going to Cypress to retake my courses instead. How is cypress?

 

[cinnamoroll12]

No, I am taking the course at OCC..maybe I should try going to Cypress to retake my courses instead. How is cypress?

I didn't take it at Cypress, but I had the professor (for another class) who is currently teaching the course this spring semester. I actually took it at UCSD.

 

[atticus27]

I have a UC gpa of 2.644!

With that GPA you will need to show a significant upward trend, either that or you'll need to make a major scientific discovery. Actually, you would still nedd the upward trend.

The way I see it, right now you're down shiits creek without a paddle. I would take the W and maybe take a semester or 2 off to reevaluate things, do some soul searching or something because your doing nothing for yourself with this kind of progress. Taking another hit to your GPA with a C is going to make it THAT much harder to bring your GPA up to the bare minimum.

I don't know what year in undergrad you are, but I say you got about 2 years before you can even think of applying. It's not just earning your way, it's a trust thing also with the GPA. Can you trust someone that has a low GPA to be responsible for formulating IV's/meds in a children's hospital?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Pharmacy school (and graduate school in general..) is not for everyone.

Have you stopped to consider that school isn't your thing, or maybe that science/pharmacy is beyond your capability/desire to accomplish?

2.6 is just about to the point of no-return. You're clearly not dedicated to what you're doing. 3-4 Ws and multiple Cs and Ds dictates that you've got poor study habits, you don't care about what you're doing, or you've got something else going on in your life that makes concentration difficult (e.g., attention-deficit, medication, family affairs, girlfriend/boyfriend/SO problems). Any way you slice it, the expression "uphill battle" seems not to do this situation justice.

Can you trust someone that has a low GPA to be responsible for formulating IV's/meds in a children's hospital?

Apparently, just read the thread "don't lost hope." LOL...

 

[BenUstudent]

I would keep the C. Not trying to be offensive, but I would imagine excessive W's look like you're unwilling accept responsibility for your actions. I would only take a W if I had a good reason to back it up -- like illness or a family death that would keep me from performing my best. However, if you think you can give an explanation for the W then it might be worth taking that and not having a C applied to your GPA.

Now what about If one (such as myself) has had 2 W's on a non pre-pharm preq like College algebra at a C.C.( passed it third time with a C) an went on to a private university and took Trig and got a B. I was wondering Should I even bring it up in my personal statement to explain it or not. I am open to any suggestions

 

[atticus27]

Now what about If one (such as myself) has had 2 W's on a non pre-pharm preq like College algebra at a C.C.( passed it third time with a C) an went on to a private university and took Trig and got a B. I was wondering Should I even bring it up in my personal statement to explain it or not. I am open to any suggestions

Sure, it's always good to cleverly mention rough spots in your app and flip them into positives. A few W's isn't the kiss of death, but it might raise some reg flags if there isn't anything stellar in your transcript that can divert their attention. Get A's in Calc, Gen Chem, and Orgo and they probably won't care that you got owned by college algebra.

I had 3 W's, but they were spread out, and I had a 3.9/91 so it didn't matter. Just show them you have the potential to handle 18-20 credit semesters in pharm school.

 

[Passion4Sci]

just show them you have the potential to handle 18-20 credit semesters in pharm school.

+1!

 

[SHC1984]

Pharmacy school (and graduate school in general..) is not for everyone.

Have you stopped to consider that school isn't your thing, or maybe that science/pharmacy is beyond your capability/desire to accomplish?

2.6 is just about to the point of no-return. You're clearly not dedicated to what you're doing. 3-4 Ws and multiple Cs and Ds dictates that you've got poor study habits, you don't care about what you're doing, or you've got something else going on in your life that makes concentration difficult (e.g., attention-deficit, medication, family affairs, girlfriend/boyfriend/SO problems). Any way you slice it, the expression "uphill battle" seems not to do this situation justice.



Apparently, just read the thread "don't lost hope." LOL...

Well the OP might still have a shot...with sooooo many "new" pharmacy schools opening up there bound to be some schools that will take low GPAs and maybe even low PCATs too. 🙄

 

[rphfan2009]

Would you retake a class and end up with the same grade or would you rather withdraw from the class, which would result in a total of 4 w's? I just feel hesitant in withdrawing from the class because for all my 4 years at UCI, I never withdrew from classes. However, after graduating uci and taking courses at a cc in just these two semesters, I have already gotten 3 w's. The most realistic grade I can get in the class is a C and I re-took this course because I got a C for the same course at UCI. Should I take the C or withdraw for a 4th w? Please help!
I have a UC gpa of 2.644!

I withdrew from my summer Chem 1 class...I wasn't doing well (had a "C") and have been having some major family/personal problems. Withdraw only if you have a good reason why. If its just you and your study habits, then you have to decide.

 

[ffpickle]

I've never withdrew from any class for any reason....and I paid the price for it.

Take the W. Retake the class. Get an A.

 

[rphfan2009]

I've never withdrew from any class for any reason....and I paid the price for it.

Take the W. Retake the class. Get an A.

And you never lived my everyday personal hell that I go through at home.

 

[rphfan2009]

I've never withdrew from any class for any reason....and I paid the price for it.

Take the W. Retake the class. Get an A.

I never withdrew from any class either...in my ENTIRE academic career. I think its a case by case basis.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

Is there any way we can have a sticky at the top of the page about whether to withdraw from a class??? There's almost always a post about it on the first page, and there's always the same opinions:

Withdraw and study hard later and get an A.

Only withdraw if you have a good reason.

Don't withdraw; study like crazy to ace the final.

Why are you withdrawing, and why have you withdrawn so many classes?

Excuse the frustration. It just seems like everyone who is considering withdrawing may benefit from one main thread.