How do colleges view my course dropped with "W"

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a high school senior, and by taking numerous courses at nearby universities, I've been able to get through Calc. 1, 2, 3, linear algebra, mathematical statistics, all with As, and this year I'm taking a 400 level physics class. As it stands, I'm headed for about a C, and having that on my transcript would be a dark blot on my record, but hopefully I've already proven otherwise that I'm a good student.</p>

<p>However, I'm unsure of how bad the alternative of withdrawing with W would be. Basically, I have to choose between getting a W now, and having that show up immediately on the transcripts I send my colleges this Fall, or getting a C later, and having it show up on the midyear report. I'm planning to apply to UPenn, UChicago, Harvard, etc., so either event could be fatal.</p>

<p>What should I do? Have any people here that got accepted into top schools had any experience with how a W went down?</p>

2

<p>You are a HS student taking a 400 level (senior or grad level) physics course and you wonder if a C in that course would look worse than a W? How about you start by discussing this situation with the professor? Cs in that class may not be rare at all.</p>