Dropping an Independent Study

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

Hi there!

I just applied to Brown early decision and am currently enrolled in 4 AP classes (lit, bio, gov, and stats) and 2 independent studies (French lit and organic chem). I have worked really hard throughout high school (I will have taken 7 AP classes total) and have a 3.95 GPA and a 2250 composite on the SAT. I am also president of French Honors Society, run an independent food blog, participate in two different poetry programs, and write for my town’s newspaper.

Right now, I feel stretched incredibly thin with the amount of reading I have to do for my AP classes, and I want to drop something so I may devote more time to improving the quality of work in all of my subjects. I really want to drop my French independent study since I took AP French last year (I skipped a level of French my sophomore year to take the class early as a junior) and my teacher is currently threatening to give me a bad grade because I haven’t had time to do the work.

So, should I take a WP, or risk staying and have a C (or worse) on my transcript? Please help.

2

“Threatening” is the wrong word; your teacher is telling you that you justifiably deserve a “bad” grade.

Given the alternatives of a C vs. a WP, I’d go with the WP, although it’s really the lesser of two evils, IMO. Note however, that since you have submitted your application, you will need to notify Brown if you choose to withdraw.

3

Ask your school’s college counselor - especially since I’m not sure the protocol of when you’d have to notify Brown of the withdrawal.

And skieurope is right, that’s not a threat. That’s informing you of where you stand.

4

Thank you both skieurope and iwannabe_Brown! Apologies for my word choice–my French teacher is irritating me to no end in other (unrelated) aspects and threatening was being unfair and too subjective.