Page 1 of 1

W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:13 am
by Jordanrex30
I am curious to learn more about a W and what it means. Right now I am in a class and my current grade is an 80% im worried how it will effect my GPA and was hoping to figure out if I withdrew and received a W instead of low B how LSAC would factor that into my academic summary report. Thanks for any help!

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:17 am
by rungoodinc
A 'W" will not count against your GPA at all. However, you shouldn't withdraw more than maybe once, or twice, from a class. If you are withdrawing all the time it will probably draw a red flag to admissions committees.

I had 2 withdraws on my transcript and it didn't hurt me at all (accepted at NYU as a splitter).

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:53 am
by Jordanrex30
so it's obviously way better to have that W then to stick out the semester and end up with a B? Thanks for your help

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:38 pm
by mephistopheles
rungoodinc wrote:A 'W" will not count against your GPA at all. However, you shouldn't withdraw more than maybe once, or twice, from a class. If you are withdrawing all the time it will probably draw a red flag to admissions committees.

I had 2 withdraws on my transcript and it didn't hurt me at all (accepted at NYU as a splitter).

meh, i had like 5 over 4 years. nobody batted an eye


were in lawl skool because we're lazy, after all

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:48 pm
by LET'S GET IT
Jordanrex30 wrote:so it's obviously way better to have that W then to stick out the semester and end up with a B? Thanks for your help
Correct, the W is better than the B.

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:58 pm
by stoopkid13
Wouldn't you have to retake a course you have already paid for? Is the difference between a B and a W really worth the tuition money?

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:50 pm
by stt1
You might try speaking with the prof before deciding, letting him know your grade concerns honestly (while making clear you aren't asking for a better grade, just finding out information), and determining a) whether there are extra credit opportunities and b) what kind of improvement you'd need to see going forward to bring it up to an A or A-. It might be a longshot, but there are some pretty counterintuitive ways in which grading can work out depending on the prof. Also, make sure withdrawing wouldn't put you at less than full-time student status, or otherwise make it look like you took a light semester.

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:22 pm
by LET'S GET IT
stoopkid13 wrote:Wouldn't you have to retake a course you have already paid for? Is the difference between a B and a W really worth the tuition money?
Sure but if it would affect OP's GPA much, it could be the difference in getting in to or not getting in to certain schools, or make a difference how much $$ s/he is offered at certain schools. When you frame it like that, it could easily be worth how ever much the class costs.

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:49 pm
by stoopkid13
LET'S GET IT wrote:
stoopkid13 wrote:Wouldn't you have to retake a course you have already paid for? Is the difference between a B and a W really worth the tuition money?
Sure but if it would affect OP's GPA much, it could be the difference in getting in to or not getting in to certain schools, or make a difference how much $$ s/he is offered at certain schools. When you frame it like that, it could easily be worth how ever much the class costs.
I can't imagine that it would...it's a one point difference. Assuming OP graduates with 120 credits and its a 3 credit course, thats a difference of .025. Do you think schools would look at a 3.800 and a 3.775 that differently? Possibly if OPs right on a GPA median, but even then I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to bump my GPA by a few hundreths.

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:49 am
by LET'S GET IT
stoopkid13 wrote:
LET'S GET IT wrote:
stoopkid13 wrote:Wouldn't you have to retake a course you have already paid for? Is the difference between a B and a W really worth the tuition money?
Sure but if it would affect OP's GPA much, it could be the difference in getting in to or not getting in to certain schools, or make a difference how much $$ s/he is offered at certain schools. When you frame it like that, it could easily be worth how ever much the class costs.
I can't imagine that it would...it's a one point difference. Assuming OP graduates with 120 credits and its a 3 credit course, thats a difference of .025. Do you think schools would look at a 3.800 and a 3.775 that differently? Possibly if OPs right on a GPA median, but even then I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to bump my GPA by a few hundreths.
You are making several assumptions here, but I'll leave it alone.

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:57 am
by rnoodles
LET'S GET IT wrote:
stoopkid13 wrote:
LET'S GET IT wrote:
stoopkid13 wrote:Wouldn't you have to retake a course you have already paid for? Is the difference between a B and a W really worth the tuition money?
Sure but if it would affect OP's GPA much, it could be the difference in getting in to or not getting in to certain schools, or make a difference how much $$ s/he is offered at certain schools. When you frame it like that, it could easily be worth how ever much the class costs.
I can't imagine that it would...it's a one point difference. Assuming OP graduates with 120 credits and its a 3 credit course, thats a difference of .025. Do you think schools would look at a 3.800 and a 3.775 that differently? Possibly if OPs right on a GPA median, but even then I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to bump my GPA by a few hundreths.
You are making several assumptions here, but I'll leave it alone.
I'm just going to say that the way I read this comment and then immediately looked at your Kevin Hart avatar just killed me. Perfection! haha

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:11 am
by Atmosphere
Yeah had like 6 W's and my cycle's been unaffected

Re: W and what does it mean

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:32 pm
by ChemEng1642
stt1 wrote:Also, make sure withdrawing wouldn't put you at less than full-time student status, or otherwise make it look like you took a light semester.
I went part-time my last semester and have had no issues with my cycle.