Dropping an online class?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello. I've just been accepted into numerous schools, including my top two choices, University of Southern California and New York University. I was hoping that these schools wouldn't mind if my online Earth Science class shows up as a "passing-withdrawal" on my final report card. Let me explain...</p>

<p>I took Earth Science at a private school in 8th grade and got an A or a B, don't remember which. I've gone to public school all throughout high school. The first two years of high school, I assumed that since I got credit for the high school level math class I took in the private middle school, I would get credit for Earth Science as well. (In public school, it's considered a typical 9th grade course.) However, that was apparently not the case. It turns out that I would have to take four years of science in high school to get an advanced diploma, despite the class I had already taken and passed in middle school. No matter how hard we pressed the counselors to let me take a standardized test in lieu of repeating the course, I was not able. Senior year was approaching, and I had taken Bio, Chem, and Physics for the past three years. Those classes kicked my butt and I struggled to get low Bs in there. Therefore, I didn't feel prepared to launch myself into AP science, because I would probably end up failing it. The only other options for my senior year were honors freshman Earth Science, or honors online earth science. I chose the online. The year is coming to a close and I'm only 25% done with the course. It's all busy work and painful tedium, and the amount of it is very overwhelming. Frankly, I hate everything about it and I haven't learned anything from taking it other than the fact that I probably shouldn't take any more online classes. I talked to my counselor and she agreed that it would be a good idea to drop the class and get a standard diploma; no shame in that. She said that the colleges wouldn't mind because it's just one random online science class that I didn't have a bad grade in anyway. Is this true, or should I be as paranoid as my mother and assume that they might revoke my acceptance based on this one little class? Keep in mind that I'm going to be majoring in pop music and not meteorology or something.</p>

2

<p>First, don’t freak out.</p>

<p>Second, before you drop the class, ask your online teacher (or supervisor) if you can complete the tests or other “important” work to demonstrate you know the material.</p>

<p>Good luck!! Hope it works out for you.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind and seek even more advice. I’ve heard all ranges of comments on my situation:</p>

<p>They might revoke your acceptances if you don’t get it done. - mom
I don’t think the college will have a problem with the withdraw-pass. - school counselor
Could I do some of the science work for you? - grandma
You’re being screwed over by the bureaucrats. - English teacher</p>

<p>As one could tell, I still haven’t received very much practical advice. Therefore, any additional input is welcome. Should I go directly to the universities and explain my situation, asking what they would do if I dropped the class with a WP? I don’t know how I should contact them other than just e-mailing the admissions office… or is there an alternative I should consider? I should mention that completing the course in its entirety really isn’t realistic at this point even if I did want to finish it. It’s April, and I still have about 70 assignments to do.</p>

4

<p>Your best bet is to email the colleges you’re leaning towards and ask. They can’t revoke for asking.</p>