Dropping a Class vs. Receiving a B

Student Lounge College Life
1

I have a B in a class that I need for my major. I know that a B is not a horrible grade, but it impacts my GPA by .11, which is a considerable amount. Even if I obtain a 100% on the remaining assignments/quizzes/exams, my grade will lie in the 89 range. My professor is generously considering a possible adjustment to their grading system, of which an A would become in my reach (I am a few points away from an A). Today is the last day to withdraw with a W on my transcript. They are not going to offer any extra credit. Assuming they do not adjust their grading system as they are considering, here are my options:

  1. Stay in the class, accept the B, and essentially give up on it. It would be difficult to move up, so what’s the point? Focus my efforts on my other courses as the semester wraps up. My B is high enough that it will not drop to a C if I give a subpar effort.

  2. Stay in the class, strive for perfection, get the 89.6 that is still possible and hope that they may budge upon seeing my efforts and accomplishment. (My professor is kind and we have good standing). Of course, this is not a given as each professor has their own grading system and level of flexibility.

  3. Drop the class and receive a W on my transcript, retake it in the fall with the same professor. It fits into my schedule; the only catch is that it would leave me with no choice but to take an extra class my next spring semester. The second time around it would undoubtedly be an easy A, I could get away with not attending lecture but would have to go to labs.

2

Why is getting a single B such a problem? “It would be difficult to move up.” What does that mean? Where are you moving up to? Would you plan on dropping every class where you don’t get an A?

3

@CheddarcheeseMN Difficult to move up to an 89.6, which may be within rounding range, since that is up to my professor. I have never dropped a class before, and I don’t plan on doing so in the future. It wouldn’t be a single B, it would be my second, and I want to avoid this because it will hurt my GPA and my application to future schools.

4

What future school would it impact? I would stay in class and try your hardest. College professors often curve one or whole class at the end when they see how class has done as a whole. Also would dropping now mess up any financial aid that requires full load to meet yearly progress requirements?

5

@scmom12 I plan on applying to med school, which is why it is important that I get As, especially in stem courses. I spoke to my professor and they are not going to curve or give extra credit, but is considering giving the final exam more weight which would allow for more mobility in raising a grade.

6

Do not W from a class from which you are getting a B. Also, isn’t it past the W date?

7

Bad idea. Getting a B in college means you are doing a good job.

8

Getting a B (or a couple of B’s, even a C) is not fatal to your chances for med school.

9

Take the B and move on.