<p>I recently found out from the USC Web Registration system that I could update my grade options with a selection of "Pass/No Pass," "Audit," and "Letter Grade."</p>
<p>I was wondering if it would have a negative impact on my transcript, resume, or GPA if I took classes with the "Pass/No Pass" option. Can anyone list the pros and cons of the Pass/No Pass and Letter Grade options?</p>
<p>I ask because I'll be taking a GE History class and a Music Theory class, both with the option of taking "Pass/No Pass" or "Letter Grade." I'm inclined to take the "Pass/No Pass" option, but I'd like some feedback before I set my choices in stone.</p>
<p>I've taken one class P/NP before. It's nice because you have less stress about the grade in that class.</p>
<p>The way it works, if you take a class P/NP, then you are graded the exact same as you would be for a letter grade by the professor, and at the end of the semester, if you have a C- or higher, you recieve a P grade and that is all that is recorded. If you have less than a C- (i.e., D+ or below) then the grade is recorded as NP.</p>
<p>P/NP classes have no effect on GPA, regardless of wether the grade is P or NP. They are worth 0 grade points.</p>
<p>There are certain restrictions on when courses can be taken P/NP. Almost no classes taken P/NP can count toward your major requirements (other than the total unit requirements) and absolutely no P/NP classes can count towards a minor. Only one P/NP class can be counted for GE credit, and no writing class can be taken P/NP.</p>
<p>If you're eligible to take a course P/NP and you want to, I see no reason not to. Definitely take one of your GE's P/NP.</p>
<p>You have up until the 3rd week of the semester to change a course to P/NP. Pick up the pink form at the registration office and turn it in before the deadline passes.</p>
<p>The only thing it could really hurt is scholarship and/or grad school applications, because it makes it look like you're taking the easy way out of something.</p>
<p>That said, I did this with several classes. Just be aware that there are limits on what you can take pass/no pass. If you take that GE as P/NP now, you can't ever do that with a GE again. P/NP classes don't count towards your major in the vast majority of cases. I would personally be wary of using my P/NP right away, and would save it for a semester that I was otherwise swamped with major classes or an internship or something and didn't want a GE to get in the way. But that's totally personal opinion. Just look at the guidelines in your course catelog about this so that you get an idea of how many times you can do this, and whether you want to do it now or save it for later.</p>
<p>always check with your academic advisor before registering any class pass/no pass. You do not want to have to repeat the course next semester just because it was ineligible for P/NP credit.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, when I took that one class P/NP, the professor said that the average grade for P/NP students is a B+. My grade ended up around B+ so I guess he was right :) Though I do know people who got A's taking courses P/NP.</p>