Deciding If You Should Withdraw From a Course

 
No Win Situation
Midterm grades are in and things aren't going so well in that one class.  You got a deficiency report and an email from the Advising Center and you are wondering if you should stick it out or drop the class.  The decision to drop a course at this point in the semester is not to be made lightly.  You've come so far and probably committed a significant quantity of time and tuition dollars to this course.  You might be concerned about your GPA but equally worried about the impact of a "W" on you future goals.  The last day to withdraw from a course is NOVEMBER 10 so you can't put off a decision much longer...what's the right choice?


Know the Facts
Earning an "F" or a "D" can have a serious and detrimental impact on your GPA.  If your overall GPA falls below a 2.0, you will be placed on academic probation and potentially face dismissal.  While you can reverse the impact on your GPA by retaking the course in a future semester (at The University of Scranton only-not at another institution), the first grade will always remain on your academic transcript.  You do not earn credit for any course in which you earn an "F".   If you have pre-medical aspirations, you should know that some medical schools will average your grades for all attempts.  That means if you get an "F" the first time you take a course and earn an "A" the second time, they will regard your grade as a "C". 

A "W" does not impact GPA.  While it also remains on your academic transcript forever, it will not impact your academic standing and is generally not viewed as negatively as an "F" or a "D".  Taking a "W" might not be the right choice for everyone but it can sometimes be the only way to make the best of a bad situation.

Deciding What to Do
So should you drop or stick it out?  There is no easy answer but there are some steps you can follow to help you arrive at a decision:

• Talk to your professor.  Don't skip this step even if you are worried that he or she is unapproachable or that the meeting will be awkward.  Talking to your professor can help you determine exactly where you stand in the course.  At this meeting you should be trying to figure out the answers to questions like:  what exactly is my grade right now?  What is contributing to my deficiency at this point?  (test or quiz grades? attendance? projects?)  What is the maximum grade I can receive in this course?  Is it realistic to think I can pass?  If I remain in the course, what strategies can I employ to maximize my efforts?

• Talk to an advisor.  We can help you sort out the facts and weigh your options.  There is a lot of information to consider.  For example, for some courses, you only have to pass.  In some, you must earn a "C" or better.  In that case, hanging on for a "D" doesn't make sense.  We can also help you determine what your options are for repeating a course.  If you decide to remain in the class, we can connect you with resources to make your semester more successful.  If you decide to drop, you can start the process in our office.  

What do I do if I want to drop?
 You will need to pick up a drop form and talk to an advisor first.  Then you will need to obtain your instructor's signature.  Finally, you will bring the form to Mrs. Butler in STT 208.  All of this can take a little while, so don't wait until the last minute!

 
 Katie Robinson
CAS Academic Advisor
katherine.robinson@scranton.edu

Midterm Grades

Welcome back from break!  I hope it was a restful break that provided you with time to catch up with friends and family while catching up on rest and work! Fall Break is essentially the half way mark for your first semester at Scranton.  To help you determine how well it is going so far, you as a freshman will be receiving midterm grades in the next couple of days.  

What is a midterm grade?

Midterm grades are not a permanent part of your academic record.  They are only meant to serve as an indicator of your performance so far.  You can use your midterm grades to make some informed decisions.  Are you doing as well as you would like so far?  Are your grades a little lower than expected?  Now is a good time to consider your time management, study skills and study strategy.  Is it paying off for you or do you need to make some adjustments?  Talk to an advisor or your faculty if you need some help!

When will midterm grades become available?

Faculty must submit midterm grades for all first year students by 1:00PM on Thursday.  That means that grades should be available for you to view online by Friday, October 17.  

How do I view my midterm grades?

Midterm grades will be available online through myscranton.  The process to view them is easy! Just login to my.scranton and then click the student tab.  Your semester grades should be visible at the top.  Click the midterm link!

Why do my grades say NG?

Faculty only submit midterm grades for first year students.  If you have more than 30 credits that you transferred in from other institutions or from Advanced Placement, you are no longer considered a freshman by credits.  If you are curious about your performance, you should contact your professors to discuss your progress.

 Oh No!  I got a deficiency!!  What does that mean?!?!

Any grade of C- or below is considered a deficient grade.  That is because all students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain in good standing at the University of Scranton.  If you earn a GPA of less than 2.0, you will be placed on academic probation.  Your midterm grades DO NOT count toward your GPA...they are just used to project what your GPA would be if the semester ended right now.  We send you an email if you earn a midterm deficiency so we can warn you of the problem and help you figure out how to get on track!

I'm failing!  What do I do?!?!?!?

If things are not going so well in a course and you feel it is unlikely that you will be able to improve your grade, you might consider withdrawing from the course.  You have until November 10 at 4:30PM to withdraw.  When you drop a course at this point in the semester, you will earn a "W" on your transcript.  This "W" will remain on your transcript even if you retake the course.  However, it is important to note that sometimes it is better to withdraw from a course.  A "W" does not impact your GPA.  If you think you might want to consider dropping a course, come to the CAS Advising Center to discuss.  



Katie Robinson
CAS Academic Advisor
Katherine.robinson@scranton.edu