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Should I withdraw or take a failing grade?

Before deciding whether to withdraw from class prior to the 10-week deadline or request a late class withdrawal, please read about potential impacts. In some cases, it may be beneficial to withdraw from the class and alleviate barriers to your mental and physical health. In other cases it may be best to remain in the class.Ìý

´¡±ô·É²¹²â²õÌýcontact your academic advisor if you’d like to discuss options given your unique circumstances.Ìý

Additional student populations:Ìý

• For international students on a F1 or J1 visa,Ìý this could impact yourÌývisa status. Contact ISSS for more information.
• For students receiving VA educational benefitsÌýcontact your Veterans and Military Services advisor for more information.Ìý
• For student athletes, this could impact your NCAA academic progress andÌýparticipation in sports. Consultation with the students academic coordinator is required.Ìý

Alternatives to Dropping a Class:

You may want to remain in the class and take the final grade.Ìý

• Complete the class:ÌýDepending on the grade you receive, you may still be eligible to graduate on time. Double-check the syllabus with your academic advisor. You may be able toÌýretake the class for grade replacement.\
• Request an Incomplete Grade:ÌýIf you’ve completed a majority of the class and you have an extenuating circumstance, contact your instructor to see if you are able to take an incomplete grade. Assigning an incomplete grade is at the instructor’s discretion, and they may factor in decisions such as the amount of classwork that needs completing in their decision.Ìý

Progress Towards Degree

If you are assigned a class withdrawal and the class is a prerequisite for future classes or isn’t offered on a regular basis, this could impact your timeline for graduation. You can discuss this timeline with your academic advisor. Other specific student populations impacts:

For student athletes, this could impact your NCAA academic progress. Contact your athletic and academic advisor.

Graduate Students

Completing a class withdrawal may impact the time limit of your degree programÌýand you may be required to request an extension.Ìý

Class withdrawals are not covered by the tuition waiver and you will become responsible for the tuition associated with the class. Contact your graduate department program assistant for more information.ÌýÌý

Future Employment or Graduate School Considerations

Depending on the graduate program you’re looking at, W notations may or may not negatively impact your application. Often,Ìýadmissions committees review your academic record holistically with the goal of determining if you are prepared to enter their graduate or professional program. They may look for positive trends such as improving grades. A pattern of W notations throughout your transcript could be a worrying trend and in some rare cases admissions committees may prefer to see a failed grade instead of a withdrawal. This may also present you with an opportunity to explain how you’ve had to overcome difficult conditions and adversity.Ìý

Contact your prospective admissions office for more information. In some cases, and even with grade replacement, graduate schools will calculate all grades in your GPA to determine if you are academically eligible and prepared for their program