<p>So I'm a sophomore, hoping to later get into grad school for climatology or maybe geology or geophysics, planning to major in physics. My original plan was healthcare but turns out I don't like healthcare! So here I am with what's probably gonna end as a C in anatomy, and a C or B- in microbiology. </p>
<p>Neither of those classes are required for the physics major I'm switching too, nor can they be geneds, but will the grad school care about those grades when they see my transcript? Will that negatively affect me, or does it not matter since it doesn't have anything to do with climatology or geophysics?</p>
<p>Current GPA is a 3.8, after these grades go in it might be a 3.5-3.6. </p>
<p>Would it be better to try and retroactively withdraw from one of those classes, or will that make it look worse?</p>
<p>Since you are a sophomore, there is plenty of time to improve your GPA once you have switched to physics. The major things that count are your major GPA and your GPA in the last two years. If you continue improving, it is relatively easy to explain why you had these particular grades.</p>
<p>That being said, it is possible that the most selective graduate programs will be harder for you to get into simply because there are so many strong applications that they can afford to take only those which have spotless academic records. This can be mitigated somewhat by a strong research experience, GRE score, and letters of recommendation. Taking a retroactive “W” may not be possible but a “W” generally does not count on your GPA. Check with the Academic Affairs office to see what can be done but it is probably not possible. Do your best and move on. In the long run it won’t make much difference. You will still get into a good graduate program with your GPA and only one or two 'average" marks.</p>
<p>I spoke with advising earlier today, and they did say it was possible to retroactively withdraw or even drop, though it’s very uncommon. If I get A’s from here on out, my GPA will end up around a 3.77 by the end of junior year, depending on the exact grades in those two courses.</p>
<p>Since the grad school would see the transcript, though, would the W look worse than a C? Would that imply that the grade had been worse? </p>