W's on transcript . . .how many is "too many?"

I am an undergraduate sophomore who currently has 3 W’s and I am changing my major next semester. I am currently in a course that is causing a high level of stress for myself this semester and I am strongly considering withdrawing. This would be my fourth withdrawal. I know that three W’s is not a problem but 5 is viewed as excessive. How about 4? I have a 3.7 GPA and am looking to apply to graduate school.

I think that if I am not in this class I can nearly earn a 4.0 for the semester. This class will no longer even be needed for my new major. 2 of the W’s were last semester freshman year due to other circumstances. This semester I was taking 19 credits and I am in this biology lecture/biology laboratory. I already withdrew from the lecture. I would have already withdrawn from the lab but I was not sure how 4 W’s would be perceived?

I am going to try my hardest for the rest of my college career to not have any other W’s. I will check with my peers who have already taken classes I plan on taking how the professor is and if getting an A is attainable. I am interested in a PhD program after my undergraduate years FYI.

Things to consider when thinking about Withdrawing from a class:

  1. **TALK TO YOUR ADVISER ** before you make any decisions

  2. ** Will taking a W move you from full time to part time? ** Full time is usually 12 credits (check your college). If you are part time you are not eligible for financial aid or living in dorms.

  3. ** Is this class needed for your major? ** If you don’t take it now, will you have to take it again? Will it cause you to fall behind in keeping up with your major classes?

  4. **Why are you getting a C? ** What happens the next time you get a C? W again? One W is okay, but a pattern shows that you have difficulty with college.

  5. **Will Withdrawing from a course make it difficult to graduate on time? ** Will you need to make it up in summer $$ or do you have extra credits from HS?

  6. **Can you raise your grade? ** Check this post for ideas
    http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html

  7. If this course is in your major, is this the right major for you? If you are pre-med but are getting a C in Biology, maybe this is not the major for you. If you are getting a C in an elective, that is another story.

  8. **Sometimes W’s are necessary. ** My daughter was in the hospital for a week early in the semester…she Withdrew from a course because she would not be able to catch up on all her courses if she kept all the classes. A W here or there is no problem, but a pattern of them looks like you have trouble with college work.

I agree with everything @bopper said above, but I just want to add that my instinct is that you’ve hit the limit. Get all the help you can and stick it out with the class.

Having five W’s in the same semester is probably a medical issue. Having them spread out over multiple years could indicate you are in over your head and/or have time management problems.

You may see a few different opinions on this, but then again, not every AO shares the same opinions either, and you don’t know which one is going to be reviewing your applications.