Withdraw from class or take low grade?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>Question regarding how TOP grad programs (law and MPP) will view a 'W' (withdrawal) on a transcript:</p>

<p>I'm a senior majoring in Poli Sci, with a focus on the Middle East. I'm currently enrolled in 5 classes, including Arabic and writing a thesis. Due to illness contracted in the Middle East, which left me pretty ill for about 6 weeks, and the death of 2 friends, I've fallen pretty far behind in Arabic. I feel confident that I would earn at least a C, but I'm maintaining around a 3.8 GPA, so lower than a B wouldn't look too good, especially given that it's in a course related to my major (though it is not a required class).</p>

<p>I'm seriously considering withdrawing; I know this would leave a 'W' notation on my transcript, but I also think it might be better than earning a C/B-, particularly given that I plan on learning the language in the region itself prior to attending grad school. I feel that if I were able to prove that I'd learned it through an alternative course later on, schools wouldn't care too much. But maybe I'm wrong.</p>

<p>So my question for you is, should I risk it and finish out the quarter, or take the W? I've never withdrawn from a class before, so I don't have a history of doing so. But I also know that top law schools and MPPs look meticulously at your transcript, so I don't want to totally screw myself over if a B- or C will look better than a W.</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know if UCLA time stamps the 'Ws' on the transcript? </p>

<p>Any insight is appreciated. thanks.</p>

2

<p>why not just take the class pass/no pass? Although it would look really bad if you don’t pass it.</p>

3

<p>Pass/no pass deadline was weeks ago.</p>

<p>I know I’ll pass, the issue is whether to take anywhere from a B(not a big deal IMO) to a C (don’t want to go there…) instead of withdrawing. Super late to be playing catch up in such a hard language.</p>

4

<p>If I were you I would talk to the professor and explain the situation and try to get an “Incomplete” (do not take the final). If you want to apply for law school or whatever perhaps you’ll have a chance to explain the reasons that you get an “I” in that class on your application.</p>

5

<p>I’m not sure how that’s better than a late drop (but maybe I’m missing something)? Either way I’ll have to explain it…</p>

6

<p>pass the class even if it kills u</p>

7

<p>Incomplete means that as soon as you complete whatever remaining work that the professor has assigned, your grade will turn from incomplete to the final grade that you earn. That should buy you more time to get up to speed.</p>

8

<p>If you withdraw, you have to withdraw from the entire quarter, i.e. you have to drop all of your classes.</p>

9

<p>^In technical terms, yes. But if you “drop” a single class it shows up on your transcript as a “W” which stands for withdrawal.</p>

10

<p>Actually it’s not a W, it lists the class name and the date it was dropped. At other schools it does appear at a W, though (this is all according to the registrar with whom I spoke yesterday)</p>