W's on Undergrad Transcript... all in Science/Math Forum

[strawberryfanta]

My first semester in undergrad (fall '08), I withdrew from a 1 hour bio lab course. I changed my major and didn't need it anymore, basically.

My third semester (which is this past fall) I withdrew from my second/last math course. Various reasons, none good enough for an addendum.

This semester, I am considering withdrawing from my Chemistry course. Second of three sciences.

My only B in college thus far has been in my first science, Bio. I know people joke about law students being bad at math and science. But I am worried about this looking bad. Additionally, I am considering studying for and taking the CLEP for Chem 101 and 102 and finishing my sciences that way.

I know W's aren't good and people will advise me not to do it especially since I am not giving my reasons, but... if/considering that I really really want(/need) to drop this class, but, as with the Math course, the reason is not good enough for an addendum... what are you guys' thoughts about how this will look to law adcomms?

Also, after this semester, I will only be halfway done with college, and already have 3 W's (7 hours of classes).

Oh, additionally I took 18+ hours all four of my semesters so far, or started with, rather. This past fall I took 18 and dropping the math course brought me to 15, and if I did the same with chem this semester I would be in the same situation, with 15 hours. So I'm not going from 15 to 12 or anything. I am also a Junior officially but in my fourth regular semester, so I am 'ahead' in terms of graduating 'on time', so that part of it is not a huge concern really.

Sorry this is disjointed and all overt he place, i woke up about ten minutes ago.

Thank you in advance.

Edit: Withdrawal's at my school are non-punitive. It shows up on my (unofficial) transcript as a 'W'.

Edit2: If I took the CLEP for both CHEM 101 and 102 and got an 'acceptable' (as in I got credit for it) score, would that make this all look better? If I did 'well' on the CLEP, would law schools see the exact score or just that I did well enough to get the credits?

[TTH]

As long as they aren't WFs, you'll be fine. It might count against you a bit, but I had quite a few non-punitive drops on my transcript, and it hasn't had any noticeable effect on my cycle.

[puppleberry finn]

hey fanta!


can you do pass/fail instead of withdraw?

[strawberryfanta]

As long as they aren't WFs, you'll be fine. It might count against you a bit, but I had quite a few non-punitive drops on my transcript, and it hasn't had any noticeable effect on my cycle.

They are Ws. Can you define 'quite a few' if you don't mind? You can PM if you want.

[strawberryfanta]

hey fanta!


can you do pass/fail instead of withdraw?

Hi there puppins!

Nah, no P/F option here.

[puppleberry finn]

hey fanta!


can you do pass/fail instead of withdraw?

Hi there puppins!

Nah, no P/F option here.

hmm, sucks. but if your options are low GPA vs. having to write an addendum to explain Ws... well, I'd rather write the addendum, personally.

[strawberryfanta]

hey fanta!


can you do pass/fail instead of withdraw?

Hi there puppins!

Nah, no P/F option here.

hmm, sucks. but if your options are low GPA vs. having to write an addendum to explain Ws... well, I'd rather write the addendum, personally.

How many Ws before an addendum is necessary? I will have three, but only 7 hours worth (the first was a 1 hour lab, again). If I have no more Ws, would I need an addendum?

I haven't looked/thought much about addendums previous to this honestly, so I know little about them. What if I truly don't have 'good excuses'? To be blunt. No family died, I am not very ill or ill period, my parents aren't going through a rough divorce, I didn't just find out a friend has cancer and I am not caring for anyone suddenly, etc. It would be a lame general one I guess.

[puppleberry finn]

How many Ws before an addendum is necessary? I will have three, but only 7 hours worth (the first was a 1 hour lab, again). If I have no more Ws, would I need an addendum?

I haven't looked/thought much about addendums previous to this honestly, so I know little about them. What if I truly don't have 'good excuses'? To be blunt. No family died, I am not very ill or ill period, my parents aren't going through a rough divorce, I didn't just find out a friend has cancer and I am not caring for anyone suddenly, etc. It would be a lame general one I guess.

I don't know that it has to be some dramatic excuse. Can't you just say that you decided to study for the CLEP, and withdrew from the now unnecessary science courses?

[strawberryfanta]

How many Ws before an addendum is necessary? I will have three, but only 7 hours worth (the first was a 1 hour lab, again). If I have no more Ws, would I need an addendum?

I haven't looked/thought much about addendums previous to this honestly, so I know little about them. What if I truly don't have 'good excuses'? To be blunt. No family died, I am not very ill or ill period, my parents aren't going through a rough divorce, I didn't just find out a friend has cancer and I am not caring for anyone suddenly, etc. It would be a lame general one I guess.

I don't know that it has to be some dramatic excuse. Can't you just say that you decided to study for the CLEP, and withdrew from the now unnecessary science courses?

What I'm asking you. I'll go look up what mighty TLS has to say about addendums.

My fear here, though, is that even with a basic addendum like that, they will fear I anticipated a B or worse yet C in the class. I'm not sure how the CLEP is viewed, whether 'difficult' to get the passing grade or what, but if it is viewed as anything other than difficult, it may not be a redeeming factor.

How does having a high GPA factor into things like Ws? I anticipate a 3.9+. I have a 3.95 at the moment so am giving myself some wiggle room, usually just tell myself I'll have a 3.85-3.95. Does that change things for the better, for the worse, or makes no difference here?

[hitmon33]

Almost exact same situation...didn't matter one bit for me.

[scribelaw]

If it's not punitive, then it therefore won't affect your GPA and also won't show up on the academic report LSAC sends to law schools.

So what's the difference?

[strawberryfanta]

If it's not punitive, then it therefore won't affect your GPA and also won't show up on the academic report LSAC sends to law schools.

So what's the difference?

It doesn't affect my GPA but it shows up on my transcript.

Almost exact same situation...didn't matter one bit for me.

Check your inbox please.

[scribelaw]

If it's not punitive, then it therefore won't affect your GPA and also won't show up on the academic report LSAC sends to law schools.

So what's the difference?

It doesn't affect my GPA but it shows up on my transcript.

Does anyone know the extent to which adcomms comb through individual transcripts, as opposed to just the LSAC report?...I don't know that I've ever seen this question addressed, maybe I missed it...

[strawberryfanta]

If it's not punitive, then it therefore won't affect your GPA and also won't show up on the academic report LSAC sends to law schools.

So what's the difference?

It doesn't affect my GPA but it shows up on my transcript.

Does anyone know the extent to which adcomms comb through individual transcripts, as opposed to just the LSAC report?...I don't know that I've ever seen this question addressed, maybe I missed it...

I think the LSAC report highlights the number of withdrawals separate from the transcript, but I'm not 100% sure. As for thumbing through transcripts, well, we know they look at them at least some. I think enough to notice Ws if they are in no other way pointed out (though I think they are).

Edit: LSAC not LSAT lol.

[strawberryfanta]

I decided to take a chance and email the Records office to see, since it's so early in the semester, if I could get it removed completely. Didn't expect much. They said they couldn't do such a thing, but to contact my dean and something might could be worked out. Think I just might do that. :O