After midterm grades were posted, you might have a grade that is not quite what you want it to be. If you find yourself in this situation, you have some options.
You can stay in the class and try to do the best you can. If the semester ends and you are still not happy with your grade or if you failed the course, you can use one of three repeat options that you have during your academic career at UK.
Another option would be dropping the course and taking it again in a future semester. At this point in the semester, dropping a course would result in a “W” being recorded on your transcript for that course.
Many students fear that even a single “W” on their transcript is a very negative thing. This is not true. A “W” is simply a marker representing when the class was dropped. If it is dropped after the last day for it to not appear on your transcript, you will receive a “W” for the course.
There is no grade attached to a “W.” Many times, a “W” can actually represent a wise decision. For example, dropping a course that you know will not do well in and taking it another semester would show wisdom on your part. Ultimately, a “W” is much better than an “E.”
Of course, there are a variety of factors that influence your decision as to whether or not to drop a class. These factors include:
- Financial considerations (Will you receive any degree of refund for the tuition for the course if you drop it? Could dropping the course impact your financial aid or your eligibility for a scholarship you receive? Check with Financial Aid and the Academic Scholarship office
- When the course will be offered again (Might waiting to take it later set you back in your degree program?)
- Paired courses (For example, if you drop MA 113, you must also drop MA 193)
- Potential impact staying in the course might have on your GPA
- If you are considering dropping a class that would put you below full-time status (12 credit hours), there are three important things to consider:
-How doing so might impact financial aid: call Financial Aid at (859) 257-3172 or visit them in-person in Room 128 Funkhouser Building. Also be sure to speak with the administrators of any scholarships you receive
-How doing so might impact student housing: contact your Hall Director if you live in a campus residence hall
-How doing so might impact health insurance: speak with your parents
*Note: There will be no refund of tuition for a class that is dropped at this time.
Speak with the bookstore from which you purchased the textbooks about how much, if any, money you’d get back at this time for the course’s books and associated materials.
There are a variety of benefits tied to being a full-time student that might be revoked if a student drops to part-time status.
As always, be sure to consult with your academic advisor about any questions or concerns you might have about your courses and remember that Friday, November 4, 2011 is the last day to drop a class.
