I am currently on an F1 visa and in the process of reinstatement. I need to maintain good academic standing and am facing a dilemma. I have two options:
Drop 3 courses, which will result in 4-5 W’s on my transcript, and replace them with a course I am confident in but is graded on an S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) basis.
Keep the 3 courses, but I am concerned that I might only secure 2 B’s and 1 C.
Which option would likely be more favorable for my reinstatement process? Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Look at your exact conditions.
Typically pass/fail and S/U courses aren’t acceptable for reinstatement, so 2 B’s and 1 C may be preferable, but the C may be a problem. You should meet with tutors as often as is allowed and attend every office hour, for EACH of these 3 classes. For productive sessions, especially during Office hours, highlight quotes or questions or problems you are confused about; as you read or complete problem sets, write down in your notebook margins any question you may have; wrote down anything that struck you as interesting or confusing during the lecture - and being all this to your session.
My guess is that your reinstatement will go better with 1A&2Bs.
Thank you, but I want to confirm with you that the reinstatement I mentioned does not mean just retaking classes or something. I am an international student, and I mean F1 visa students who temporarily lose their status need to do an i20 renstatement. I want to know the impact of BC or W on the transcript on the immigration review of my status reinstatement. Thank you very much.
Yes, that’s what I meant, but I am not a lawyer and your situation is serious. You need to contact International student services at your university (+ attend office hours& register for biweekly or daily tutoring in the subject you’re getting a C and in the subject you have the best shot to go from B to A.) Review your conditions and talk to International Student Services.
Did your grades fall because you didn’t study enough? Because you didn’t understand something? Were missing some knowledge building blocks? Didn’t adapt to the US system well? Are you in the right major (if you need to switch you need to talk to International Student Services at your university.)
Make sure you understand the required number of credits needed. Are you required to take 12 (full time)? Usually a W won’t count toward those 12 credits. You MAY be allowed to make then up in the summer but ASK.
That has been the downfall of a lot of students losing their scholarships. They are required to take 12 credits and they drop a class and then only have 9. The next semester they take the dropped class but don’t add another so for the year only have 9 + 12, or 21 and that’s not enough. Or they get an F and don’t get the credits, so still don’t have enough.