Withdrawing from a course

<p>How do medical schools look at a W on a transcript? Is it worth it to withdraw from a course and retake it so my gpa doesn't drop, or is it better to finish the course and take the hit to my gpa? I'm currently a freshmen. If I remain in the course ( O Chem) my gpa will fall to a 3.5 (science gpa to a 3.4), but if I withdraw my gpa will remain at a 3.75 (3.66 sceience gpa).</p>

<p>If you're looking at a C or lower, it might be worth it to drop. But anything beyond 1-2 W's on your transcript will raise eyebrows and will certainly be addressed during interviews.</p>

<p>I'd probably take a C over a W if the only reason you're taking a W is b/c of the grade. If there are some unique circumstances...then it depends on what those are, but it's less of a problem. Med schools are likely to assume that you were failing if they see a W, and if it's just because you're afraid of the grade, that does nothing in your favor. Even if you retake it and earn an A, then the thought is "of course he got an A if he was taking it for a second time". If you were by chance to not get an A, then you're doubly screwed. B/c they're going to think you failed it, and even on the second try you couldn't get it right.</p>

<p>From the gpa's you mentioned it looks like you probably have about a C+, with time to bring that up to a B-, which is not that bad for orgo. Also, are you sure you know exactly how your teach is going to give out final grades? I know that my chem teacher doesn't scale any of the tests when he gives them back to us, but he scales the class average up at the end of the semester. So, before you make any decisions I would meet with your teacher and make sure you know exactly where you stand.</p>

<p>take the C. the gpa effect (huge plunge) is kinda superficial because you haven't taken that many courses yet. After you take some more classes, the effect of the C will be buffered.</p>

<p>speaking of buffers.....
I just wrote a short paper on them : )</p>

<p>I'm resurrecting this thread...</p>

<p>I'm a freshman engineer and I'm pretty sure I'm going to a get a C- in my engineering calculus (III) class</p>

<p>should I take the W or the C-?</p>

<p>thanks</p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>W, C-, or P/F?
which is the better choice ?</p>

<p>^ take the W - general rule of thumb is that you can't get a C- in a prereq. Most schools (if not all) say that all prereqs "must be passed with a grade not less than a C"</p>