Question about withdrawal exceptions at Texas colleges

College Life
1

Hello all!

I’m a sophomore at a community college in Texas. I’ve been dealing with depression for around 1-2 years now and finally decided about 2 months ago to get professional help. I started off with 4 courses and I’m now down to 1. I dropped 2 early on to see if a reduction of my courses would help me and then did the 3rd one yesterday (Monday), the last day to withdraw as I just couldn’t handle it and even though I could’ve ended up with a B or at least a C, I decided to drop it. I now have one course remaining.

My question is however, I now have 3 Ws on my transcript and I plan on transferring to a university. I’m planning on submitting a request to get these Ws exempted from my transcript and replaced with whatever they use for such exemptions. I was just wondering, under these exemptions they have listed here:

[ul]
[]Severe illness/debilitating condition of student or close family member.
[]Death of close family member.
[]Care of sick, injured, or needy.
[]Active military duty.
[]Change in work schedule beyond student’s control.
[]Complete withdrawal from all courses.
[]Incorrect course placement based on assessment error.
[]Instructor or classmate incompatibility.
[]Challenging circumstances, including language barriers and disabilities.
[]Other circumstances not covered by legislated exceptions.
[li]Other “good cause,” as determined by the college.[/li][/ul]
Do you think this will be a problem? I just don’t feel it’s fair that it would be counted against me due to it being something that’s virtually out of my control. I have all the necessary documentation from a licensed counselor that I have depression and that I have been attending sessions.

Thanks!

2

Hi,

I don’t have experience in exactly what you’re talking about here, but I think a mental disorder would be considered a disability. It’s great that you have actual documentation.

As for whether it will be a problem, you really should have discussed it with your school before you dropped those classes. Even if you get those Ws exempted they may still come back to haunt you, depending on how many times you attempt those courses. In one semester at my first school I got a non-academic withdrawal for all my courses, before and after which I failed two particular courses twice. Now at my transfer I will never be allowed to graduate with any degree I’ve considered pursuing.

I don’t mean to scare you or shame you, but be careful about dropping classes in the future. Hope your request for exemption goes well.

3

It’s either severe illness or challenging circumstances. If you get exemption, please take the time needed to get your mental health under good control. You can only withdraw and exempt so much. You want to increase the odds of being able to successfully handle college by getting proper treatment and as stable as possible.

4

Texas law states that you are only allowed 6 withdrawals during your entire academic career. Withdrawals are subject to exemption to the 6 drop rule but it all depends on the institution that you withdrew from. All you can do is provide your documentation to your school and hope they accept it for exemption status.