Would dropping classes affect my admission if I applied through TAG?

I applied to UCSC for Fall 2019 through Transfer Admission Guarantee. Due to the heavy courseload this quarter, I’m performing really poorly in all my classes, so I’m planning on withdrawing from all my current classes so I don’t risk having my TAG revoked (by getting lower than a C). If I’ve already completed all the courses that are required for TAG, would this have any effect on my application?

Why not call the admission office?

I have, but I’m getting different answers.
The admissions office said that it can negatively affect TAG as they’re still in the process of reviewing applications, and told me to contact my counselor about it. My counselor said it’s fine as long as I’ve completed all the prerequisites.

Dropping courses that you said you would finish on your TAG application technically make the TAG invalid. With that said, unless the courses are prereqs or the courses are need to meet the 60 credit requirement, it is unlikely. The UCs will never give you a straight answer, however. At this point, it is a gamble that you have to make: drop the courses and potentially get rejected or continue in the courses and possibly get lower than C and get your acceptance withdrawn.

If I were in your position, I’d drop the courses. In the unlikely event you get rejected, you would not have the bad grades and could apply again next fall. If you don’t drop the courses and get bad grades, that could be problematic even if you wanted to apply again next fall.

Since UCSC doesn’t give early decisions based on TAG alone, wouldn’t it be fair to assume that they will work off the TAG application + the TAU to see if they meet the criteria?

As long as you have 60 semester transferable units, have completed your major reqs and IGETC (if applicable), and have fulfilled the req for the TAG (minimum GPA, at least 30 semester units from a CCC and your last term was at a CCC, etc) you should be able to withdraw and maintain the TAG. There is no rule at UCSC that you must attend final spring term and Ws are acceptable. However, before you do that email the TAG rep at UCSC to verify. tag@ucsc.edu

Dropping or changing courses you said you would take does NOT invalidate a TAG, assuming they aren’t needed.

Carefully check this over and find the UCSC TAG contact here:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/files/tag-matrix.pdf

Update the TAU and then email each UC through the portals, including UCSC admissions. Not doing so can hurt your chances at the other UCs.