"W" on transcripts

[chirashi]

What do graduate admission committees think about a "W" on transcripts?

I'm applying for graduate school (fall 2010) for international relations. I graduated college back in 2006, but my degree was in English. Some grad schools for international relations require that all prospective students take micro- and macro- economics before entering. So, I'm taking those economics courses at a junior college now.

However, with the application process, GREs, job, etc., I don't have enough study time for both. I'm doing well in the macroecon class--thanks mostly to an excellent teacher, but not so well in the micro class (I've got a C now). I need at least a B in both courses.

I'm thinking about dropping the micro course, but I'll have to take the drop with a "W" (Withdraw), which would be better than a D or F grade. Will graduate admissions committees care about this "W?"

I can always take the micro class again in Jan when the application process is pretty much over (and I'll have completed the macro course as well).

[a fragrant plant]

I can only speak of what I think about the issue. I think it would be problematic if you had lots of Ws on your transcripts. Moreoever, if the class you withdrew was a very important class in your subject, the adcomm would take it as a sign of your lack of intellectual capacity. I don't know about your major, but in my field the SOP and writing sample are most important elements of the application. I don't think the adcomm will scrutinize the transcript to nitpick a W or a particularly low GPA as long as your cumulative and major GPA look good.

Since you're going to retake the class in Jan, you can always submit an updated transcript. I personally think a W is better than a low pass if you are confident that you can earn a topnotch GPA later on when things wind down a little bit. This is just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

Edited November 16, 2009 by peanuttheanthro

[chirashi]

I can only speak of what I think about the issue. I think it would be problematic if you had lots of Ws on your transcripts. Moreoever, if the class you withdrew was a very important class in your subject, the adcomm would take it as a sign of your lack of intellectual capacity. I don't know about your major, but in my field the SOP and writing sample are most important elements of the application. I don't think the adcomm will scrutinize the transcript to nitpick a W or a particularly low GPA as long as your cumulative and major GPA look good.

Since you're going to retake the class in Jan, you can always submit an updated transcript. I personally think a W is better than a low pass if you are confident that you can earn a topnotch GPA later on when things wind down a little bit. This is just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt.

I'm pursuing an international relations MA degree, so econ is somewhat important, but no more important than second language proficiency. Plus, I don't plan on focusing much on econ during my studies. However, I worry that an admission committee might see this one VERY recent blemish on my app and toss me out. However, you're right, SOP and recs are more important factors than grades.

My major was English (3.8 GPA) by the way. Econ is hard simply because it's a much different "field" and the grade is determined only by 2 multiple choice tests. I'm used to writing essays in order to prove my knowledge.

[alexis]

My intention is not to sound sneaky here, but...why not just submit your transcripts now? I ordered mine in October. I know my fall grades won't come out until mid- or late-December; by then, all my applications are already submitted and most are past the due date. Nearly all colleges follow this schedule, as far as I know, and realistically, most adcoms won't have your fall grades when reviewing applications. If you get a copy of your transcript now, it will just say "in progress" or something like that. To me, that would look better...they will see that the course is in progress (even if you do end up withdrawing & re-taking it in the spring).

I personally think that the "W" or low grade will really hurt you otherwise, especially with it being a required/recommended course for your program. Which is worse, I don't know. But, if you get accepted, then they see you had a "W" then a "B" or "A" next semester--it seems unlikely that would change your admission status.

Edited November 19, 2009 by alexis