<p>So, I have a W in a 1 unit non-transferable math lab course, and this semester I'm having difficulty in my Geography course.</p>
<p>I passed a 4 unit Bio course w/Lab with a B and I thought the 3 unit Geo course would complete my Area 5 Science IGETC requirement. The teacher I'm taking the Geo course with is VERY unhelpful and she has an abysmal rating on RMP. </p>
<p>I was wondering if it would be wise to withdraw from her class, get a W, and take the Geography course again with a much better professor? </p>
<p>I would have 2 W's on my record but then I believe I'd also be able to earn an A in the class next Fall. </p>
<p>I thought about doing the same thing, but after I talked with a transfer guide at UCI he said to take an F in the course (it was this horrible math course, crazy professor) and either retake it or academic renewal it (if your college offers that). A “W” is way harder to explain than an F, but that only my opinion. I got accepted to UCR and UCSD so the F I received didn’t affect me all that much, but you should probably consult a UC transfer councilor, I got my advice about 3 years ago off the record so maybe their standards have changed about the W vs. F thing. good luck!!</p>
<p>I don’t agree with this at all. An F means that you failed the course, while a W means you had to withdraw from the course for whatever circumstance. You can have multiple W’s on your transcript and not be frowned upon. You can have your admission rescinded if you receive an F! Take the W without a doubt in my opinion.</p>
<p>FFS, please don’t take an F. Take the W. Nobody cares about Ws, they dont bring down your GPA, and you can repeat the coursework. Fs are horrible and tough to explain. I’d rather take a W than a C, even.</p>
<p>Okay, as I said, I got this advice like 3 years ago, so don’t shoot me. I just called the admissions office at UCSD and asked the councilor this question. She said, for the purpose of transferring if you take an F you will have to retake the course to overwrite the F on your GPA, but if you take a W you won’t need to retake the course but it would be in your best interest to explain the W on your application. And For UC applications in November 2011 it will show your latest GPA, so last spring or summer meaning your F will count on your GPA against you until UC application fall grade updates. She also said that with the recent budget cuts your GPA is a bigger deal now, they have upped the minimum GPA requirement and if you take the F and don’t do well a second time it will be detrimental to you. </p>
<p>The F will show on your transcripts even if you retake it but only the new grade will count for your GPA. Nothing happens to the W, it just stays there whether or not you retake the course. </p>
<p>So in hind sight, yes it would be more beneficial for you to take the W (if you don’t think you can get a good grade in the course now) and focus on your other studies and if you want, retake the course in the fall (or whenever). </p>
<p>I had a lot of time between my F and when I was planning on transferring, so it was no big deal for me to take the F and make it up the following semester with an A. So, no W for me and my GPA is A-Okay.</p>