Whoa, a completely unexpected NC (no credit) in transcript

[Signifier]

I am now combing my transcript as I enter courses for AMCAS, and it looks like in spring of 2008, I got a "NC" (no credit) in a 1 credit chemistry course. Evidently, I web registered for the course but never dropped it (and the professor, who I knew personally, never asked me "Why aren't you coming to class?"-bizarre).

Anyway, my gpa in the end is still fairly high (3.86) but I am wondering what to say about this NC (the only NC I have). Where would I mention this? Do all schools offer a chance for applicants to discuss transcript issues like this somewhere? I honestly don't think it's significant enough to mention in my primary statement.

Thanks for helping another neurotic pre-med.

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[Isoprop]

Talk to the prof, chem dept or the registrar to see if you can retroactively withdraw the course. Long shot but might work.

It's not a deal breaker for adcoms in my opinion. You could just explain that you made a mistake of not formally dropping the course and got no credit. It's basically a failing grade that doesn't count towards your GPA. Not a BIG deal, but something you'd want to explain IMO. Leave out the part about your professor in your explanation... it sounds like you're trying to blame him even though you probably aren't.

(At least that's how NC is explained on my transcripts.)

 

[Isoprop]

A lot of schools will give you an opportunity to explain yourself on the secondary apps. Not all but a lot.

 

[rafflecopter]

1) Your GPA is still really high and

2) It happened a long time ago.

I'd bet $100 that not a single school would bring it up and if they did just tell them the truth. Not going to be a big deal

 

[silverhorse84]

I had an NC (2 credit class) from my freshman year - granted it was in animal science (my first major that I switched out of), and not chemistry - but no one mentioned it at all. I'm fairly certain they didn't even notice.

 

[TexasPhysician]

There is usually a department at undergrad's that deals with "student appeals", complaints, etc. I'd consider that as another option.

 

[Signifier]

I appreciate all of the encouraging responses. I think I will try to get this changed, although I predict failure considering that it was my fault. I will definitely try my best to explain it (and I will not mention the professor, or make any excuses). I suppose I'll mention it on secondaries and be ready to discuss in interviews, but specifically not "bring it up" in interviews if it's not mentioned.

Thanks again- any more advice, I would appreciate it.

 

[capn jazz]

I'm going through the same thing... though I don't know what my grade is yet - could be an F, could be a W, could be an un-excused W.... I get the transcript tomorrow.

Same thing though (except in HS), where I registered, never went, forgot to drop... etc...

Hoping they will be willing to change it to a W... but who knows. 🙁

 

[Astarael]

It sounds to me like they already changed your grade for you. If you had actually received a grade for the class, it would have been an F, since you did no work for it. The fact that you got an NC leads me to believe that the professor knew you intended to drop and changed your mark accordingly.

 

[Isoprop]

At my school, NC is given only to "pass/fail" classes.

 

[SavBJJ]

Actually I have a similar situation where i have a NC in a 1 credit course and I read something a few years ago in the GPA calculation where Credit/No Credit does not factor into your GPA, only Pass/Fail which is not the same as far as Im aware. I could be wrong but i hope not....anybody have any idea?

 

[Signifier]

At least at my school, NC does not factor into GPA. I am not sure how it works with AMCAS GPA. I guess the professor could have changed the grade... still a bit of a weird situation! Oh well, I'll see what my opportunities for explaining it are. Thanks all.

 

[ashylarry23]

i got a withdraw/fail in one class

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