Take a C or W on transcript?

[palm014]

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I am currently a second year Biology major, with a 3.42 cumulative GPA, which I understand is not competitive considering that I have a low science GPA.

I would like to seek some advice regarding whether or not I should take a W on my transcript or a C in the class. The class I am struggling with right now is Organic Chemistry 2. After doing poorly on the two most recent exams, I really doubt there's any hope I can get a B at all. I am barely passing the class right now, and so I am very nervous. Considering that I did well in Organic Chem I, I know the admissions folks will question this grade that I have currently. I've never had to drop a class before, and so I am very concerned with the effects that a W may have on a pre-req course for dental school. However, I've also yet to have any Cs on my transcript, and I know either one has its consequences. My last day to drop a class is coming up soon, and I really do not feel I should risk waiting for what I will get on the next exam. Nevertheless, if I choose to drop, I will take the W halfway in through the semester, and I feel as if this really hurts me in a way that I could have used this "extra" time to have put in more focus on my other courses. Any advice, please?

Thank you.

 

[Nymphicus]

In the big picture, a W is better than a C, assuming you remain a full-time student and kill the class on the second time around. As long as your transcript is not littered with W's, they are not a big thing to worry too much about.

In the short term, it may delay you if it puts you out of sequence.

 

[Kahr]

I personally would take the W, and nail some awesome grades in your other classes this semester. Then retake ochem 2 and destroy it the next round.

This has been argued before a fair bit, here's a link to the most recent thread discussing it:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=797741

 

[dentalWorks]

I am currently a second year Biology major, with a 3.42 cumulative GPA, which I understand is not competitive considering that I have a low science GPA.

I would like to seek some advice regarding whether or not I should take a W on my transcript or a C in the class. The class I am struggling with right now is Organic Chemistry 2. After doing poorly on the two most recent exams, I really doubt there's any hope I can get a B at all. I am barely passing the class right now, and so I am very nervous. Considering that I did well in Organic Chem I, I know the admissions folks will question this grade that I have currently. I've never had to drop a class before, and so I am very concerned with the effects that a W may have on a pre-req course for dental school. However, I've also yet to have any Cs on my transcript, and I know either one has its consequences. My last day to drop a class is coming up soon, and I really do not feel I should risk waiting for what I will get on the next exam. Nevertheless, if I choose to drop, I will take the W halfway in through the semester, and I feel as if this really hurts me in a way that I could have used this "extra" time to have put in more focus on my other courses. Any advice, please?

Thank you.

Since your a person who doesn't have many W's on thier transcript, I say its "okay" to use up a W. The only reason I am against using a W for orgo 2 is .... well chances are you are going to take more difficult classes (Biochem, microbio, Histology, etc etc), so just in-case you don't do too hot in one of them, you can use up a W there instead of orgo 2... see what I mean?

You should save up your W's until its absolutely necessary to use one

 

[Erhatstil]

take the C. if you want to retake the class down the road, you'll always have that option. you may score well in ochem on the DAT which will probably over shadow your grade from the class.

i think i earned a D (maybe worse can't remember) first time in ochem. i retook the class a couple years later and it was my highest score on the DAT. there were also numerous C's on my transcript. just some food for thought

 

[sfoksn]

W... Even if you retake, you will have to report the previous grades and new grade will not replace the previous grade on AADSAS.

 

[John Durian]

I'm going to go with the "C" route because of time; I don't want to waste time retaking a class. Also, try to ace the next midterm or final and you might end up with a B- to B+. One or two C's won't make or break you so long as you get a ton of A's in the end.

As another poster stated, there are "harder" classes out there to spend those W's on haha. Just rock the DAT and you'll be fine 🙂

 

[palm014]

Thank you all for your input. Unfortunately, my school does not use + or - with letter grades. Thus, if I get a C, it's already a 2.0 for that class 🙁.

 

[somedayover]

I would take C.

I had C for Ochem 1 and B for Ochem 2 but had no problem getting an admission from d-school. None of the schools asked me about the C at my interviews.

 

[bing12]

Thank you all for your input. Unfortunately, my school does not use + or - with letter grades. Thus, if I get a C, it's already a 2.0 for that class 🙁.

TAKE THE "W", if you are almost sure you will get a C, then just take the W. i have 3 W's , had no problem getting in. A "C" will bring down your sgpa, which is one of the most significant aspects of your application. Not only will a "W" prevent a C, but it will also contribute to your other classes. Instead of struggling to study very much for a class you might get a C and neglecting other classes which are also important, changing a class your struggling with to a W will allow you much time to focus on doing very well on your other classes also.

I was in a similar situation, I took the W, took that course during the summer and got an A, and if i would have kept going with that class I was struggling with, I know that I would have done far worse that semester considering the other classes I was taking .

The admissions process is mainly a numbers game, make sure you can get them as high as you can.

 

[UMD2015]

TAKE THE "W", if you are almost sure you will get a C, then just take the W. i have 3 W's , had no problem getting in. A "C" will bring down your sgpa, which is one of the most significant aspects of your application. Not only will a "W" prevent a C, but it will also contribute to your other classes. Instead of struggling to study very much for a class you might get a C and neglecting other classes which are also important, changing a class your struggling with to a W will allow you much time to focus on doing very well on your other classes also.

I was in a similar situation, I took the W, took that course during the summer and got an A, and if i would have kept going with that class I was struggling with, I know that I would have done far worse that semester considering the other classes I was taking .

The admissions process is mainly a numbers game, make sure you can get them as high as you can.

Just out of curiosity, did you get into dental school with 3W's

 

[Daneosaurus]

Just out of curiosity, did you get into dental school with 3W's

I got in with 2, if that helps.

 

[trisigmagirl]

.

 

[rendal]

Take the W. I took a W in Orgo 2 as well, then took it again over the summer with a much lighter schedule and got an A. I still got plenty of interviews and only 1 school brought it up on interview day, and I was still accepted. I just told the truth and said that organic chemistry is my Achilles heel of subjects and I have to put a lot more time and effort into it than I do for other subjects.

Just try to take it over the summer if you can so you can spend more time on it and guarantee yourself that A.

 

[SXCoronado]

.

 

[rendal]

Take the C. I think a W looks worse.. It's like you couldn't even pass, which if you get a C at least you show that

I disagree. Think of it like this:

Option A: You take the C and your GPA drops. Your GPA might not get your foot in the door for a full application review.

Option B: You take the W and your GPA is unaffected, then you retake the class and get an A. Your GPA goes up and your chances to get your foot in the door are increased. When they see the W, they may or may not think worse about your application, but at least you got that opportunity to get a full review.

I may be completely off about how applications are reviewed but that's my logic.

 

[SXCoronado]

.

 

[swindoll]

I'm going to say withdraw, but the pre-health advisor at my school keeps telling us that if you withdraw, dental school admissions will assume that you did so because you were failing.. Which to me doesn't make sense since there could be lots of reasons why one would want to drop a class. Just fyi though. My advisor could be wrong. But she could be right also. She's very respected at my uni.

 

[sjv]

The AAMC provides a solid answer for the question of withdrawals: https://www.aamc.org/students/aspiring/basics/284780/application9.html

 

[BrazilianRider]

I would personally take the W, but that's just me.

 

[derbear]

I would personally take the W, but that's just me.

And no one wants to be you.

 

[jmcunnin]

This is a tough one. I am a non traditional student making a career change, and my undergrad record has 6 Ws. The dental school admission officer I spoke with said not to worry too much about it, but I'm guessing I'll have to explain during interviews when I apply next year. I really have no valid explanation except that I was young, immature, had no definite idea what I wanted to do with my life, and just had no reason to think twice about withdrawing. I know that sounds a little dumb, but it's the honest truth. Do you guys think that's an acceptable explanation if I am asked about that in the future?

To the OP: I think I'd go with the W considering you have none on your record. That's assuming time is not an issue. In my situation, I think I'd take the C. Good luck with whatever you choose.