Do I even have a chance at a top university?

<p>Hi, I am currently a freshman at a well known Canadian university. I am thinking of transferring next year to a top 20 US university (maybe something like WashU or UPenn) for my junior year. Right now, my grades are good; I'm getting A's with a one or two A-'s which converts to about a 3.8-3.9 on the gpa scale. </p>

<p>However, I am having trouble with one course, Math. Right now I'm getting around a B-. Hopefully, I can bring it up to a B by the end of the year, but I'm not sure if I will be able to do it because I only have the exam left. With this grade, my gpa drops greatly...like 3.2 or something like that. My question is...is it better to withdraw from the course now and retake it in the summer where I know I can get an A in it? or should I just keep with it and sacrifice my gpa for one subject? Do colleges look unfavorably upon late withdrawals? </p>

<p>Note: I am a Biology major so math is part of my subject area.</p>

<p>withdrawal withdrawal withdrawal. A “W” doesn’t hurt your chances, everyone has one.</p>

<p>Actually, I just saw your note. That makes it a sticky situation. If you KNOW you can get at least a B (meaning you will commit yourself to getting that), then I’d say probably stay. Otherwise, withdrawing and lieing about how your dog died and how you became depressed as an excuse for your low grade culminating in you withdrawing from the class so as not to damage your GPA would probably be the best choice. That’s just one person’s opinion though, and I’m going to be a Junior next year, so I might not be the best source. Ultimately, it’s up to you. Ask your advisor, or teacher.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your advice. I am probably going to take the W and see what happens. I don’t want to let my whole gpa lie in the hands of one Math exam, especially since I get bad testing anxieties…thanks.</p>