W on transcript

helpneeded · 11-28-2005, 01:45 PM

Hello. Does getting a W on college transcript affect graduate school admission (top graduate schools)? Thank you.

huskem55 · 11-28-2005, 02:31 PM

was it a class for your major/intended field of study? if not, then no, doesnt matter.

helpneeded · 11-28-2005, 02:42 PM

Hello. Thanks for your reply. The course is a math course. I am thinking about majoring in both physics and math, but does this mean I should give up math major? Thanks again.

DRab · 11-28-2005, 02:50 PM

What is a "w"?

sweetdreams2k1 · 11-28-2005, 04:01 PM

W is withdrawal, but I got 3 W's (Health, Engineering Mathematics, and Psychology) on my transcript, but my GPA is 3.9, and I got into graduate school for MS in Math.

ophiolite · 11-28-2005, 04:50 PM

I had one W on my transcript, was in economics though and my intented degree was geology...vastly different goals...

I think it may affect you a little bit since it's in your proposed field of study...what exactly are you planning on studying? "majoring" in physics and math isn't really easy for graduate school...especially if you are talking about two MS or two PhD degrees? I wouldn't drop the math, but at most universities there is the option to get a minor or concentration with your graduate degree...that may be something you want to look into...

helpneeded · 11-28-2005, 07:11 PM

I am planning of applying (princeton hopefully) for physics ph.d. Does w on transcript hurt my chances? Thank you.

DRab · 11-28-2005, 11:40 PM

I think you should call Princeton and find out what they think. It would make sense to me that, if they think you have good reason to have that "W," then they won't mind, but I could be wrong.

helpneeded · 11-29-2005, 06:39 AM

Any other comments? Thanks.

harvard_and_berkeley · 11-29-2005, 08:40 AM

One or two W's do not matter at all. I had a W in organic chem at Harvard, still got into EVERY grad school I applied to... my advisors said that a few isolated W's are insignificant and not a factor at all.

That said, I have heard that some schools make a distinction on the transcript between WP = withdrawal while passing, and WF = withdrawal while failing.
But if your school just reports it as a straight W, and your overall record is solid, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

helpneeded · 11-29-2005, 11:29 AM

But this course with W is my major course. Does it matter? Thanks.

Sookunfyooz3d · 11-29-2005, 12:16 PM

Well obviously your going to have to retake it anyway, and they might be curious of why you dropped it..

MaryCeleste · 11-29-2005, 02:39 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. Students run into trouble with Ws when they have: 1) have developed a pattern of withdrawing from courses each semester, 2) withdrawn from courses well into the semester/near the end of the term as a way to avoid impending low grades (at those institutions that list the drop date on that transcript), or 3) withdrawn from so many courses that it put them below 12 credits for the semester.

Don't worry about a drop or two, though. Out of curiosity, is it a course you dropped soon after the start of class or later in the term?

helpneeded · 11-29-2005, 03:59 PM

Only a few weeks before the semester is over. The deadline for dropping with W actually has passed and I won't be able to drop it now... I am getting a C in class, and now, I am worried... Thank you all for the help though.

jerew · 11-29-2005, 05:27 PM

I am freshman worrying about my grades and am having a tough time figuring out the scope of the situtation (and yes, I know it's early to worry about this) I am physics major and want to go to grad school. I am getting A's and B's in all my courses (including Honor's Physics), but I am getting a C in Multivariable Calc. How bad is a C in math and is it worse than a W (I am a freshmen at Cornell U)?