Dropping Courses, Withdrawals, S/F Option
Needless to say, we hope that all of your courses run smoothly. In the event that you encounter difficulty in a course, seek help from appropriate sources (instructors, teaching assistants, tutors, learning assistance services) BEFORE you are in real danger of receiving a low or failing grade. If you are not sure where to seek help, do not hesitate to utilize the advisers in the career center.
Drop vs. Withdrawal
There are several issues to consider when determining the most appropriate course of action.
Drop—This option refers to the Drop/Delete option and is only available until the end of the fourth week of the semester. Courses that are dropped do not appear on the official ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é transcript.
Withdrawal—This option is available to students after the fourth week of the semester up until the end of the eleventh week of classes. Courses from which the student withdraws appear on the transcript with a grade of "W." GPA calculations are not impacted by withdrawals.
Health Professions schools are not troubled by one or two withdrawals in an otherwise strong academic record. Additionally, if a student has to drop or withdraw from a course or courses due to circumstances beyond his/her control, such as an illness, schools will factor this information into their evaluation of a candidate. A pattern of withdrawals, however, will cause health professions schools concern.
The S/F Option
Each semester students in the College have the option of declaring one course S/F or Satisfactory/Fail.
Students preparing for health professional schools should take into consideration that most programs require that students earn a normal letter grade in all courses used to satisfy admissions prerequisites.