Dropping Out

[kitkat831]

I am in a situation where I may be forced to drop out of my program. I am in a 2nd BA program in Communications Disorders. My GPA is over a 3.8 in the classes I've taken for this program. My GPA was a 3.5 for my first BA. I am afraid to drop out; I am afraid of seeing all those W's on my transcript. However, I am more afraid of staying, because I know I will not do as well as I have been. I'll be lucky to even pass. I want to drop out, and work full time for at least one year. Ideally I'd like to take advantage of some volunteering opportunities, as well. I would like to become an Audiologist. My questions are: How do Graduate Programs regard dropping out of a 2nd BA program, and returning later? Is it better to stay in school and potentially get terrible, horrible, no good, very bad grades? (I say that as a joke, but that's really how it feels.) I feel right now like I have no choice but to drop out, not due to the grades, but because of what's causing them.

--KitKat

[juilletmercredi]

Can you take a leave of absence instead? Most universities allow students to take a leave of absence for any reason; if what you're dealing with is an acute problem that could be solved in a semester or an academic year, you can always return later and resume your study.

But if you have to completely withdraw from the university and start later - I mean, I don't even know how grad programs would even know that except for a gap on your transcript or years that indicate some skipped time. Even still, as long as your grades are very high (and they are) I don't think it will be a problem.

[GradHooting]

I am curious, as well. I have a semester of W's on my transcripts and I have been rejected twice from every university I have applied to in my field. I am wondering if it is because of the semester of W's, or because of something else. I have the 3.5+, 800/630/5.5, numerical stats, teaching and research experience, and so on. I will keep my eye on this thread, because I keep wondering whether those W's harmed me. I had to leave due to a death in the family, then I transferred.

[rkg2012]

If there is a good reason for the Ws, I don't think it will hurt your chances down the road. You can mention it in your personal statement, but don't dwell on it and don't make excuses. It's best if you have a recommender who can address the issue so you don't have to...it's more credible coming from a prof. I had 2Ws one semester and some rough grades before that and got into several very good PhDs in my field.

I would recommend approaching your instructors NOW about what problems you are facing and see if they are willing to accommodate you in any way. Depending on the university/prof, sometimes you can take incompletes and finish up the work over the next semester. DON'T resign yourself to failure. You are obviously a good student, so don't let whatever is going on in your life get in the way of your future. If you want to take time off and do work/volunteering that is relevant to your interests, that shouldn't hurt you.

GradHooting - I would suggest you talk to your recommenders about your application. Half-hearted recommendations can be killers. Your personal statement is also more important than the numbers. (I'm not sure about writing samples in your field).

[midnight]

I am in a situation where I may be forced to drop out of my program. I am in a 2nd BA program in Communications Disorders. My GPA is over a 3.8 in the classes I've taken for this program. My GPA was a 3.5 for my first BA. I am afraid to drop out; I am afraid of seeing all those W's on my transcript. However, I am more afraid of staying, because I know I will not do as well as I have been. I'll be lucky to even pass. I want to drop out, and work full time for at least one year. Ideally I'd like to take advantage of some volunteering opportunities, as well. I would like to become an Audiologist. My questions are: How do Graduate Programs regard dropping out of a 2nd BA program, and returning later? Is it better to stay in school and potentially get terrible, horrible, no good, very bad grades? (I say that as a joke, but that's really how it feels.) I feel right now like I have no choice but to drop out, not due to the grades, but because of what's causing them.

--KitKat

KitKat, if you're fearing doing poorly in your undergrad CD work, why do you believe that audiology is the path for you (a field which will involve in-depth, advanced CD work)? And where is this fear coming from if you currently have a 3.8?

Is there a reason in your life (medical, familial) that you can't manage your workload or the prospect of staying in school...or is the work just not a good or interesting fit for you?

Quite honestly I don't think you need to make a big deal about abandoning the second BA (really, grad schools don't need to know you dropped out of the program per se; it could appear you as if you were simply taking prereqs, no?) or taking a break from undergrad altogether, but I think you should finish your coursework for the semester rather than taking W's unless something out of your control is impeding your path. (Did you bomb some tests? What's going on?)

Edited October 24, 2012 by midnight streetlight

[staceyjo]

I didn't have someone to suggest to me to take a leave of absences while I was working on my BS. I was really sick throughout all of undergrad and that resulted in me dropping classes almost every semester and one semester completely withdrawing. The upside is I still managed a 3.5 and I adress it in my SOPs when applying to grad school. I have been accepted to 1 law school and 2 masters programs. Upon starting one of the Masters programs the Ast Program Dir set me down and told me she was impressed that I was able to power through and stay in school being so sick, and graduate with honors in only 5 years. She said it was definitely an asset. So I guess it could work for you, as it did me.