<p>What do you guys think is better, withdrawing (getting a "W" on the transcript) from a course or taking a grade in the C range? I just got back a Bio test and did really poorly on it. The withdraw deadline is in a couple of days and a best case scenario for my final course grade is B and worst case is D+. The B is very unlikely though, since I studied pretty hard for this test and still didn't manage a half way decent grade. </p>
<p>It's not in my major and I was taking it mostly because I wanted to learn a bit of Biology. I have never withdrawn from a course before so it's not like I have a history of this. I currently have a GPA that is high enough for me to get into a Top 10 graduate school for the field I am interested in, but I am afraid this class that I didn't need to take is going to screw me over. What do you all think would look worse, the W or the bad grade?</p>
<p>Can you pass/fail? If not, I’d withdraw; it’s not worth worrying about.</p>
<p>At my school, you can’t decide to take a class Pass/Fail during the middle of the semester.</p>
<p>Would the “W” on my transcript hurt my chances for getting into a top tier grad school? More so than taking the bad grade?</p>
<p>The advice I’ve always received is “One W won’t kill just don’t make a habit of it.” I personally wouldn’t let it torch my GPA especially if it’s not a course in what you intend to pursue in grad school (which I’m assuming from your post).</p>
<p>Take the “W.” My kid took a “W” in a physics course he had an A- in because he couldn’t stand the amount of work the class was-it was taking away from other classes and he was not a science major. He had excellent grad school results, but that was the only W he took.</p>
<p>Well, I submitted the paperwork today and decided to withdraw from the course. I sort of feel like a quitter and seeing that W on my otherwise good transcript is going to bring me down a bit. But it’s better than the alternative of studying several hours a day, causing my in-major grades to suffer, for an elective class in order to give me the slim chance of pulling out a B. Lesson learned: take only easy electives. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys.</p>
<p>yeah one wont hurt and its not in your major anyway…they wont notice it too much…good luck!</p>
<p>I ended up with 7 Ws total for my undergrad program. This wasn’t due to the difficulty of the courses but various health and financial issues. I have a 3.68 GPA and very high GRE scores, 1510. I’m trying to get into a biology program for a PhD or MS. Anybody think all the Ws will be a problem? Should I mention it in the admissions essay?</p>
<p>Forgot to mention. I also have excellent references.</p>
<p>Definitely talk about your health problems as the reason in Statement of Purpose, it’s a must. Also say (I’m hoping this is the case) that it won’t be a problem in interfering with your Graduate work.</p>