Is it better to show a W (Withdrawl) on my transcript or a B?

[JooaLee]

Hi guys! Great to see such an encouraging and active community I’ve seen so many people helping others on this platform, and I hope today some people are able to help me too.

For context, I am a junior in high school and my dream has always been to become a veterinarian. I’ve had 3 internships at a zoo, aquarium, and a more serious one at a veterinary clinic. I am the president of pre-veterinary club at my school, and I am also a clarinetist.

My dream has ALWAYS been Cornell. I’ve always raved about it since I was younger and the school is everything that I’m looking for in a university. They have one of the best veterinary and pre-veterinary programs globally, have professors I’ve always dreamed of working with, and so much more I can name.

However, my grades are not as incredible as other top applicants, and I’m frankly very concerned. I’ve had all As except for a B+ in first semester of AP Biology (which I raised to an A- in second semester and a 5 on the AP exam). This was something that I wasn’t necessarily very concerned about, even though I was applying as a biology major, since I had shown improvement and got a good score on the actual AP test.

However, I am afraid that Cornell will see it as a pattern. I am currently taking 4 APs this year, and AP chemistry is the only one that I am genuinely struggling on. I currently have an 89% and it’s stressing me out, because it’s been almost impossible to raise it, and no matter what I do I can’t do it. With the final on the loom, I am definitely going to drop to a B.

I am worried about what my grade will be in second semester, as I know chemistry gets progressively harder as time goes on (while biology is kind of the sameish).

So, my main question is: Should I drop from AP Chemistry? (It’ll show as a withdrawal from the course on my transcript). Of course, I am aware that B+ nor B is a bad grade, but I’m especially concerned about it because both AP biology and AP chemistry are related to my major. I know 1 grade isn’t everything, but I genuinely do not see success in taking this class.

I also have some other concerns. I am in year-round competitive marching band, and it swallows up a huge amount of my time (18+ hours per week) on the weekends and after school, when I could be doing other things such as building my resume, doing major-related activites, or even just studying for tests. I have no choice but to continue, as it’s a requirement for me at the moment since I have a solo. I just absolutely
do NOT think that I can do chemistry whilst doing it. I’ve already had experience in the same exact thing with biology last year—this time it’s just more important because I am a junior.

I am afraid that colleges will think that i am incapable of sticking through with a tough class if I end up withdrawing, but I am also terrified that I will get a C instead. Please give me your best advice, especially if you know anything about Cornell admissions specifically! Thank you so much if you’ve read this far

[thumper1]

@JooaLee

With the final on the loom, I am definitely going to drop to a B.

Finish the course. A B is not a bad grade.

And I hope you have a variety of colleges on your applications list…and not just Cornell.

[2plustrio]

An “A” is not the truest indicator of learning or success. Keep going.

As for Cornell, with the B or C, your chances of getting into Cornell are still around 8%. You are correct that multiple years of withdrawing from science classes will look very poorly on your ability to handle rigor.

Make sure you have many other colleges on your list and that they are affordable.

[DadTwoGirls]

@2plustrio

multiple years of withdrawing from science classes will look very poorly on your ability to handle rigor.

This concerns me also.

One daughter is in the fourth year of her DVM. She will be called “doctor” in May if all continues to go well. This is a very long and difficult path. I have said multiple times that many skills are required to get there, but of all the skills that are needed, determination may be the most important. She got a number of B’s on the way, and a very hard earned B- in organic chemistry, but did not give up. Several classes required a major effort to avoid a C (although she most likely could have gotten where she is even with a C or two). Not giving up is a major part of how she got where she is. I would suggest that you similarly do not give up.

You will have more B’s before you complete your DVM. There will be a lot more tough classes before they give you a DVM degree, or even before you complete the pre-vet required classes and apply to DVM programs. You need to learn how to handle very tough classes. Now is a good time to start.

And some of those very tough classes will be chemistry classes. Whatever you learn in chemistry this year will be useful in the future.

One last thing to think about: There are a LOT of universities that have very good pre-vet and premed programs (the required classes are the same). Cornell is one of them. There are hundreds more. Of course there are only a bit more than 30 universities (edit, in the USA) with a DVM program, but you do not need to attend one of them to get a very good preparation. For example, the various students in my daughter’s DVM program come from a very, very wide range of different undergraduate universities, and my daughter got her bachelor’s at a university with an excellent pre-vet program but no DVM program. A lot of schools with very good pre-vet programs are also way easier to get accepted to compared to Cornell, and some of them offer merit based financial aid.

Also, DVM programs are expensive, and veterinarians do not make enough to pay off loans if you pay for most of this with debt. If you want to be a DVM, job #1 is to figure out how to get there with limited debt. You need to pick an affordable university for your bachelor’s degree. If you qualify for a LOT of need based aid (or your parents are insanely wealthy), and if you can get accepted, then it might be Cornell but otherwise it probably won’t be.

[tsbna44]

Forget the dream school concept. All schools have issues - bad profs, roomies, anti semitism - whatever it might be. etc.

If you want to be a vet and are full pay, that could be $800k.

Have a balanced list. You could be straight As, have a high test score and still get told no.

If you have a balanced list, you’ll find a great school, Cornell or otherwise.

Don’t put do much pressure on yourself that getting a B is horrible. That’s crazy talk.

Good luck.

[Momofthree24]

To answer your original question, don’t drop the class. Taking an AP science and receiving a B is better than taking a W in my opinion. Top schools want to see kids that have taken the highest rigor possible.

[fretfulmother]

As others have said, a B in an AP science is better than a “pattern” of withdrawing from science (a lot better). However, you will be competing against thousands of students with As in AP science. For a proposed STEM major, it’s wise to put a bunch of state schools on your list, some that have honors colleges.

Also, an activity you spend 18 hours on per week should be something you love.

[poodlegrl]

Do not withdraw. A B in AP Chem will definitely look better than a W! A W looks like you were probably failing, or at a minimum getting a C. Stick with the class and do your best. A B is not the end of the world.

[momocarly]

Totally agree, don’t drop the class. They will assume you were getting a C or lower. Also don’t lock yourself into Cornell only for undergrad. You want to go where they have a great pre-vet program, where you can go with low or no debt, and get top grades. If you got lower grades at Cornell you could get rejected from their vet school by a student from xxx State U with a 4.0, research and lots of animal hours.

Example my son went to a State University with a veterinary school. Got an early admit there. Got a 4.0, travelled abroad, published research papers, got scholarships, awards and leadership. Graduated ranked #1 in his vet school and has been highly recruited for his internships and residency by Cornell, CSU, tOSU, Penn and others. He has been able to pick what he wants and has no debt. Just showing you it isn’t where you go, it is what you do there and to some extent who you know. Cornell is great but so are other schools. Good luck!

[parentologist]

Finish it. Do your absolute best. Work hours on it every day. Go for extra help from the teacher as often as teacher is willing. Get peer tutoring. Pay for a pro tutor. Try your best, but do not drop out of it.

[COMom3]

I’m so sorry this system is failing you if you think 1 B in an AP class will keep you out of a selective university. Perfection has become the norm and we give our kids no room for less. You will be ok - keep pushing and just do your best.

[parentologist]

So true and sad. Most of us could never have gotten into our illustrious alma maters today.

[coolguy40]

Just finish the class and get a B. It’s a good strong grade. Here’s my opinion as a person who has been around the block more than a few times. Don’t put all your eggs into Cornell. Just because it’s a “dream” school doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for you. There are plenty of good schools that will be happy to accept you for who you are. Cast a wide net of affordable schools.

Also, college is a maturation process where students get to explore their passions. Go into college with an open mind. You might find out you love Hotel and Restaurant management.