Dropping a class... Will it look really bad? Northstarmom, please respond!

<p>Because of chronic sinus problems, I have no choice but to drop a ceramics class. I'm not artistic at all, but our school says we have to have an art course. The rest of my courses are all advanced ones. This year I've missed 12 days of school already and have missed 6 periods of that class (block scheduling.) I'm currently seeing a sinus specialist out of town (I live in a really rural area) and have surgery planned for the 10th of next month. Will it look bad to have a dropped class on my transcript? My teacher is really rude to me and even though i have proof that I've been really ill, she still doesn't care and a large part of my grade is attendance. Last year I missed 35 days of school but still maintained a 4.0 really easily. Last year, though, I didn't have any "hands on classes," which are really hard to make up. I'd try to make up the work in this class, but I can't... I work 30 hours a week at a grocery store and have NO STUDY HALLS. To wrap it all up, the teacher is unfair in grading because she docs me points for being absent and I don't have study halls and work 30 hours a week. I'm still making up a bunch of work for my 7 other classes, too, realize. So, does dropping a hands-on class because of a documented chronic illness and surgery look bad?</p>

<p>Do you have any advice, NorthStarmom or any other people with backgrounds in college interviewing and or admissions? Thank you.</p>

<p>I don't have any professional background in the area, but how about sending a letter to Harvard (or wherever you are applying) explaining your situation? Just mention the medical reasons and the nearly full-time job, and DO NOT say your teacher is rude or unfair. It will make you come off as rather obnoxious to the reader. Instead, just say that you fell too far behind since it is mostly hands-on and based on attendance. Try to show your letter to your counselor first, but it's best for you to write it yourself. If you handle the situation properly, it shouldn't be a problem at all.</p>

<p>Just have your GC explain the situation. With that explanation, I don't think that the dropped course will affect your admission chances.</p>

<p>Do NOT mention your thoughts about the teacher's being unfair. That would make you sound like a whiner. Your medical problems are reason enough to drop the class.</p>

<p>I don't believe that dropping a ceramics class can affect your college chances. However, if it is one of the credits (art) required by your school for graduation, you may have to find an alternative way to fulfill it.</p>