withdraw grades on application: Red flag?

[polyploidy516]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey all,

I would really appreciate your clarification on an issue that i am having

This semester due to complications from a medical issue that I have ( I have a chronic condition that unfortunately did not respond well to a new medication that I was prescribed) and family circumstances ( my father recently suffered a stroke which had let to drastic changes in my household), this resulted in me having to miss several classes for several courses.

I spoke to my advisor and was told that I should consider withdrawing from several courses if not the entire semester if it continues to affect my attendance and performance ( these courses have very strict attendance policies and this school has a policy where if you miss a certain number of classes you will receive an unofficial withdrawal which calculates as an F). As I had 4 withdrawals during my undergrad career due to extenuating circumstances ( a health issue in addition to family issues), I am deeply concerned as to how adcoms will view these excessive number of withdrawals if I withdraw this semester ( i will have about 7-9 total)

My question is as follows: as I am a postbac ( I graduated 3 years ago with a less than stellar gpa-3.1-with an upward trend and A's in later sciences) I did well in my postbac the previous semester ( I have been getting nothing lower than a B/B+ with several A's in my postbac sciences). I have not had a withdrawal grade in about 3 years and have had consistently high performance with my last semester being a 3.8.

However, due to this medical issue which has really affect my attendance in several classes, I would like to know how adcoms would view this and if it would be viewed negatively and what I could do to make sure my app isnt red flagged? I have a 3.8 in my postbac so far and scored well on my MCAT (40) and have a cumulative 3.42 gpa. I plan on taking several more courses before I apply and after my medical issue and family situation is fully controlled.

Your thoughts would be appreciated especially from adcoms such as LizzyM, etc.

 

[Boolean]

You can likely get a medical withdrawal. You'll have to bring it up with the school though, they handle that (I believe the Registrar's office handles this, not sure though)

 

[polyploidy516]

im going to try and get a medical withdrawal ( the deadline for withdrawals is in two weeks so I will make sure it is taken care of by then).

i would like to know how med schools would view an excessive number of withdrawals in my case ( due to medical and extenuating circumstances--not due to grade issues as I have had at least a b- or better but couldnt complete due to these extenuating circumstances).

Would it be a red flag and auto-reject given my gpa ( 3.42)? or would they give me a fair chance because of my reasons?

 

[Boolean]

im going to try and get a medical withdrawal ( the deadline for withdrawals is in two weeks so I will make sure it is taken care of by then).

i would like to know how med schools would view an excessive number of withdrawals in my case ( due to medical and extenuating circumstances--not due to grade issues as I have had at least a b- or better but couldnt complete due to these extenuating circumstances).

Would it be a red flag and auto-reject given my gpa ( 3.42)? or would they give me a fair chance because of my reasons?

With your MCAT? No. Take the medical leave, if you can't, explain what happened.

 

[polyploidy516]

i appreciate your response:

i was just concerned because ive heard that med schools see withdrawals as inconsistent performance and a red flag on the application.

any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated. thank you once again!

 

[Redeemed316]

I don't have experience with multiple withdrawals, but I did have one where I retook the class on a lighter load. No one ever mentioned it specifically or questioned it in interviews, but I did explain in all of my interviews my low science gpa and why there was such a difference between that gpa and my Master's gpa. I think with your personal statement and secondaries, you would probably address the challenges you've faced which would explain the withdrawals. And most secondary applications provide space for you to tell them anything that you haven't mentioned in the primary. I cannot imagine you automatically getting screened out due to withdrawals though. I think that you will have enough opportunities to explain yourself if the withdrawal is necessary.