How bad does a withdrawal look? Forum

[Tainted_Praise]

I've never had ANY withdrawals in my years of college, and I am in my fourth year, last semester. I decided to pile a bunch of classes on to make sure I would graduate on time. I was so caught up with the LSAT that I totally forgot to do a paper for one of my classes! I'm thinking of just withdrawing.... Because if he doesn't let me make it up... That's pretty much an automatic D/F.... Is it really going to look that bad? Be honest. I can take it. :/

[bhan87]

Enjoy Cooley. But seriously no, drop that class NOW. W > CDF and sometimes B

[minnbills]

People take W's all the time.

What if you dropped a course the day after the semester started? You would have a W.

I don't think the transcript will say when you did it, and I doubt they would care anyways.

Regardless, whatever effect it would have, however minimal, would pale in comparison to a D or an F.

[Bildungsroman]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

[Tainted_Praise]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

How will I know which one they will consider it as...?

[esq]

Just as long as you don't have a pile of 'em on your transcript, you're good to go. And I'm pretty sure that LSAC doesn't hold them against your GPA either, I could be wrong though.

[Bildungsroman]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

How will I know which one they will consider it as...?

Wait, have you already applied?

[minnbills]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

How will I know which one they will consider it as...?

If you can just walk into the registrar's office and withdraw, without having to give them the: "I'm failing" explanation- you'll probably be ok.

Also, you could ask them how it will appear on the transcript: will there just be a "w" there, or something else?

Don't assume that they know about LSAC's policies. So make sure it's just a w.

[Tainted_Praise]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

How will I know which one they will consider it as...?

If you can just walk into the registrar's office and withdraw, without having to give them the: "I'm failing" explanation- you'll probably be ok.

Also, you could ask them how it will appear on the transcript: will there just be a "w" there, or something else?

Don't assume that they know about LSAC's policies. So make sure it's just a w.

Thanks for this. That's how the system works over here. And to the poster who asked if I have applied yet, no I have not.

[minnbills]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

How will I know which one they will consider it as...?

If you can just walk into the registrar's office and withdraw, without having to give them the: "I'm failing" explanation- you'll probably be ok.

Also, you could ask them how it will appear on the transcript: will there just be a "w" there, or something else?

Don't assume that they know about LSAC's policies. So make sure it's just a w.

Thanks for this. That's how the system works over here. And to the poster who asked if I have applied yet, no I have not.

I had to do it once my freshman year, be prepared to lose some cash though. This late in the semester you'll be unlikely to get much back.

[Tainted_Praise]

Thanks for this. That's how the system works over here. And to the poster who asked if I have applied yet, no I have not.[/quote]

I had to do it once my freshman year, be prepared to lose some cash though. This late in the semester you'll be unlikely to get much back.[/quote][/quote]

Losing some cash now.... Or not getting into law school and making any cash in the future. A sacrifice I am willing to make. Thanks for the heads up. And thanks for all of the responses everyone.

[NCtoDC]

Thanks for this. That's how the system works over here. And to the poster who asked if I have applied yet, no I have not.

I had to do it once my freshman year, be prepared to lose some cash though. This late in the semester you'll be unlikely to get much back.[/quote][/quote]

Losing some cash now.... Or not getting into law school and making any cash in the future. A sacrifice I am willing to make. Thanks for the heads up. And thanks for all of the responses everyone.[/quote]

I had 3 withdrawals on my transcript (although I had a good reason for them (divorce)). You need to check with your school to see how they will list it on your transcript. Depending on how late in the semester it is, the school could list it as a punitive withdrawal. In the admissions process I don't feel it hurt me at all (due to the number of W's on my transcript I did write an addendum about it). However, with only 1 there would be no need to write an addendum.

[HBK]

I used to register for an extra class most semesters. The one I liked least, I'd drop. I had like 5 Q or W drops, and I don't think it hurt me one bit.

[lovejopd]

Depending on school system. I think it is too late. You might get WF, which is punitive. Check your syllabus. It will tell you everything. Or If you are going to get WF(which is 0-do NOT do it) Seriously beg your professor to give you extension or let you make it up...It is serious man~

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Nvm

[ArthurDigbySellers]

What if you dropped a course the day after the semester started? You would have a W.

Is that actually common practice? Here you have until the 6th or 7th week of classes to drop without a W or any record of it on your transcript

[ArthurDigbySellers]

W looks better than D/F as long as LSAC doesn't count it as a punitive W.

My W didn't count as a punitive W, I think maybe a WF would but I guess it varies

[alexonfyre]

You can check with your institution, but at my school I had over 8 W's throughout my time there and none of them showed up on my LSAC report whatsoever (not punitive or otherwise.)
I don't really know what the deal is, but I am just glad I don't have to write any addendums.

[YaSvoboden]

This has pretty much been said. But bottom line, if your institution doesn't count the W in your GPA, LSAC won't either. Even if it does say WF, WNP, etc.

http://www.lsac.org/policies/transcript ... zation.asp

[limelightwave]

I had always heard that more than one "W" would count against you in your LSDAS GPA, but I had 2, and mine wasn't changed by that at all. I'd say take the "W." Way better than a D or an F

[suspicious android]

Withdrawals don't look so great, but I wouldn't worry about it. Some people really like them, which I have never quite understood. Just depends on the guy you're with.

[EdmundBurke23]

i have a bunch of withdrawals on my transcript. but they all occurred during the first two years of college. i think it's important to show that you somewhat followed through with your courses during the latter stages of your undergraduate education. but that's just me.

[polevaulter]

I've never had ANY withdrawals in my years of college, and I am in my fourth year, last semester. I decided to pile a bunch of classes on to make sure I would graduate on time. I was so caught up with the LSAT that I totally forgot to do a paper for one of my classes! I'm thinking of just withdrawing.... Because if he doesn't let me make it up... That's pretty much an automatic D/F.... Is it really going to look that bad? Be honest. I can take it. :/

I've had several "W's" in my college career and they never hurt me. I figure it this way: take the "W" and save your GPA!

[polevaulter]

I had always heard that more than one "W" would count against you in your LSDAS GPA, but I had 2, and mine wasn't changed by that at all. I'd say take the "W." Way better than a D or an F

That's a definite myth...It never changed mine either.

As for taking a course "Pass/Fail"...those can sink your GPA if you don't get a "Pass" at the end of the semester.