I’m currently a senior in HS and just started my second semester. I’m taking an elective course, Entrepreneurship, that I don’t need for credits and doesn’t align with my major. I’d really like to drop it for a study hall to give myself more time for my important classes, but my counselor seems concerned about how it looks for applications. I’m accepted to one school, which I already emailed asking if it was an issue, and it’s not a problem for them. My counselor is still concerned about the 4 I’m waiting on, which are mostly very competitive.
I’m currently also taking 4 APs (Calc BC, Lit, Gov, and APES), a foreign language, and a 1 semester art class. I also have the highest GPA I’ve ever had, so I’m not worried about a “downward trend” in that respect, but I’m concerned it could look bad dropping anything at this point.
If I absolutely need to, I can get through the class, but I can already tell I’ll hate it. I don’t think switching for something else is an option because the class was my only choice when signing up last year (I unfortunately didn’t know I could have 2 study halls then).
Any advice? I can’t imagine it would be an issue but my counselor is really dragging his feet.
I doubt it will matter to colleges since it is an elective and not a core course. You will of course need to inform them of the change, and they have the right to review and make a decision based on the change, but likely it won’t be an issue for most colleges.
Thanks for the reply! My school doesn’t allow us to chose pass/fail, but I’m not worried about passing, I just really won’t enjoy it. It’s presentation based which isn’t my thing at all.
And just to clarify because I realize my post was vague, it wouldn’t show up on my transcript as dropped/incomplete, it would just be removed from my schedule and transcript completely because it’s so early in the semester.
Do you think it would be a good idea to email or call colleges to ask if it’s an issue, or is that weird? I also think it’s fine but my counselor has me worried!
If it were me, I would probably call and ask. Better yet, I would email to have a paper trail. Hopefully they respond in writing then confirming that it is OK so if any issues arise later you have proof that you contacted them.
I think it’s ok to drop but you do need to inform first unless you’re 100% headed to your one acceptance.
But after reading your reason, I think you should stay with it.
You’ll never have it this easy in regards to presentation - ie it’s gonna happen in college and most likely with regularity in the work place. So get practice now.
Also the entrepreneurship class will allow you to think outside the box, take some creative chances.
My daughter did it. It’s a freebie for easy A but it’s gonna push you where you don’t want to go and that could help you far more than you realize.
When you get to the workplace - you likely won’t be given choices. You’ll be told to present - small group, big group. And if you get out on special projects, that’s a path to more $$.
I’ve had to present my whole life. My son is less than one year out of college - different field, works for a Fortune 300, and will be presenting to the CEO in June. I’ve been in so many places and ultimately many from so many fields and functions, introverts and extroverts, will be presenting - small, large group.
So take this opportunity !!!
That said, it’s not going to impact colleges if you drop but most have statements that they need to be informed. So do that if you decide to drop and you’ll be fine.
I think you’re totally fine to drop it. You still have a very rigorous schedule. Its an elective which at lots of schools wouldn’t even be counted into the recalculated GPA at this point.
Since I assume your apps are all in, it’s less likely it will look like you are dropping it to make your course load look easier. That said, might there be another elective that will a more interesting to you? Either way, yes you should notify the schools.
It is an elective. When you are in college you will have a drop/add period where you will be able to drop classes you don’t care for. This seems similar. Depending on your college and major (and ultimate career choice) you may or may not have to give presentations in the future, and even if you don’t like them, there is every likelihood you will handle them just fine. What other people did in their careers has no bearing on yours.
I don’t think any AO is going to OK a change to a not-yet-admitted applicant.
I would encourage OP to email admissions with the drop (if that’s what they choose to do), but wouldn’t expect any replies. And if OP isn’t accepted to a given school, they will never know why.
High school teacher here. I have had several students dropping an elective in their last semester, and my own son did it too last year. I haven’t heard anyone being rejected from college because of it.
Thing is, you’ll never know, will you? I really doubt that it would make a difference, but imagine a pile of applicants who’ve made it to the final round, cuts need to be made, and then yours gets a note saying, “Called to inform us dropped entrepreneurship class”. It just might be the hair on the scale that makes them take the other kid.
I think that if possible, you should keep the class until after your acceptances come in. It doesn’t matter if you’re not doing that well in it, since the colleges won’t see the grades. Then you can drop it after acceptances come in, if you still want, and notify the colleges then. They’re not going to rescind you for it.
Thanks for this perspective. I already emailed my top two asking if it was ok, but now I’m thinking I should have just dropped and informed them of the change. Do you think I should hold out for a reply, or just make the decision and follow up informing them that I ultimately decided to go through with the change? The deadline to drop is coming up soon unfortunately.
So, I defer to your counselor about this…they know your HS, they know where you applied, they know your HS’s results from those schools.
If you do drop, you have to inform admissions…however the schools say to do that, whether thru the portal or email to your AO etc. I would not expect a response and I wouldn’t ask permission at the schools that haven’t yet acted on your app (which sounds like you did…did you talk with your counselor about that?)
What we are sure of is dropping a class isn’t a positive, so why give that message in a highly competitive environment?
Do I think dropping an entrepreneurship elective will really make a difference at the schools that haven’t made decisions yet? No, but if we are talking about highly rejective schools odds are you don’t get in anyway, and you will never know why not.
My counselor got back to me and said it was fine as long as they are informed. Yes I did already ask 2 schools I’m waiting on, and I’m really regretting asking them now, but people on this thread and elsewhere said to ask them before dropping. Now I’m more worried. Do you think it’s okay to email them again(or update through portal) saying I’ve made the change before they respond? Should I drop it now but wait for them to reply (hopefully saying it’s okay) and then follow up saying I went through with it? Thank you for your help BTW and sorry for so many questions!
You have to ensure you meet your school’s deadline for dropping - so don’t miss that.
If you truly want to drop, then do it.
But don’t write in again. Wait for the response.
Sure, you could have told them you dropped vs. asking if it’s ok. But you asked so let them answer.
It’s a difference of - I want to do it if it’s ok vs. I’m doing it regardless.
You asked the first but are in the boat of the 2nd.
If those other schools haven’t reviewed you yet, then all they can really say is thanks for letting us know. We’ve updated your record. Really you are just informing them of a change to your record.
If you still have time to drop, then wait for them to respond.
Like people said - the odds of it impacting are slim.
But for the schools that haven’t reviewed your app yet - they’ll make a note and you never truly know how it will be seen even though no one here thinks it’s a big deal.
But if you are dropping no matter what - then do it. And be done.
Once you hear back from them (if they respond) and tell you it’s ok, then you can say thanks and take a deep breath.
At the RD schools, you should have just informed admissions that you dropped the entrepreneur class…however they tell you to do that.
I doubt the AOs at schools where your decision is pending will get back to you. I would not contact them again…just report the dropped class (let the email stand at the two you sent asking approval) and be done.
I would also make sure you are communicating this information where you should be…many schools want updates like this to come thru the portal not emails to AOs, so double check that.