Dear Matt,
I’m not doing very well in one of my classes this semester and I’m really tempted to withdraw from the class. Is a “W” going to look bad on my transcript, or should I tough things out and take the grade I get?
Dear Transcript-Troubled Friend,
You’re hardly alone in pondering this decision. Considering that the deadline to drop a course for a “W” grade is just a day away from when this paper comes out, you certainly have a small window of time to make your decision. Obviously, you should never drop a course after the aforementioned deadline, because a “WF” will have the same effect on your GPA as a regular “F.”
Before making your decision, you have several considerations to make. First, is the grade you think you’ll receive in the class going to significantly hurt your GPA? If you’re headed for a failing grade in the class, or perhaps a similar grade that you deem unsatisfying, then that “W” might be your best option. Having one “W” on your transcript would not be the worst thing — at most, whoever is reviewing your transcript might ask you about where it came from. If a single “W” on your transcript damages your pride, however, then only you can decide for yourself if passing on the withdrawal is worth the resulting grade. Additionally, if you have withdrawn from several courses in the past, then a strand of withdrawn classes might raise some employers’ eyebrows. I would avoid adding any extras to your transcript. Judging by the nature of your question, though, this situation is probably rather new for you.
If you happen to be a business major (which I’m not — I just live with one), then you know a thing or two about cost-benefit analysis. In layman’s terms, you evaluate the soundness of a decision or investment to predict whether or not the end result is worth the price. But I digress; I’m probably not describing it very well. Regardless, while it’s impossible to exactly replicate this multi-step analysis in a situation such as yours, try using a GPA calculator to figure out how much your three-digit number will really suffer if you stick with the class. Also try to plot out some hypothetical future semesters to see how far you can pull your grades up based on the grades you predict.
If you’re of the perfectionist sort, like me, rationalize whether or not the grade you’re frightened of is actually even that devastating. Granted, certain majors are more GPA-demanding than others in the long-run, but as you accumulate more letter grades, each individual one matters less and less. I still refuse to accept this myself but, hopefully, you’re more reasonable than I am. I’m a nutcase.
This nutcase knows, however, that the very first step of cost-benefit analysis is to list alternatives. And for you, taking a “W” might be the wisest alternative if you’ve never withdrawn from a class before and don’t plan on doing so again. What’s wrong with admitting defeat this once? Failure is an aggravating part of life. There seems to be quite a stigma with having a “W” on one’s transcript, maybe because it indicates “giving up,” or because it comes from the opposite end of the alphabet. But a course withdrawal ultimately means what you want it to mean. It can be a “peace-out,” or an “I’ll buckle down more next time.” And if someone asks you, “So what’s this ‘W’ all about?” I’m confident you’ll know exactly what to tell them.
Ultimately, though, whether or not to withdraw is your choice. I’ve given you some considerations to help you make your final decision, at the very least. I would advise against withdrawing if it will set you back significantly in your major requirements, or if you are not prepared to accept any negative connotations that you associate with a “W.” If withdrawing will save your GPA and/or your sanity, then — by all means — do it. I certainly don’t mean to make light of your decision, but only you can sort out the pros and cons in the end. I’m sure you’ll be able to make the most of whatever you decide. And remember, your transcript isn’t everything. Sometimes, the experience is more valuable than a sheet of paper.
