U Of M--LSA Honors GPA Dilemma

Colleges & Universities University of Michigan
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<p>My son is presently a freshman in the LSA Honors Program. One of the requirements of the program is that he maintain a 3.4 average. His GPA last term was + or - 3.1, which apparently triggered a letter telling him that he was out without the 3.4 GPA.</p>

<p>He is presently carrying 18 credit hours, and feels if he drops one of his classes this semester (I know, a little late), that he could get his GPA up to 3.4 assuming that the “withdraw” doesn’t have a negative impact on his GPA.</p>

<p>How would a “withdraw” from one class affect his GPA?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your guidance.</p>

2

<p>Withdrawal’s don’t affect your GPA at all, isn’t that the entire point of dropping a class? You just get a “W” on your transcript.</p>

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<p>I didn’t know how they are handled with regards to GPA as well as what they look like in the eyes of an admissions officer at Ross or one of the other professional schools.</p>

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<p>It will most definitely be a big negative for Ross admissions. However, it will not affect his GPA.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I would think 1 W wouldn’t be so bad for someone graduating, but getting 1 freshman year probably isn’t a good idea…</p>

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<p>Isn’t the point now to do what needs to be done to stay in the honors program more than what might or might not happen with Ross in the future? If taking the W is the only way he’ll stay in the honors program then the question would be not how will the W look potentially to Ross admissions, but how will dropping the honors program look to Ross Admissions if he isn’t able to stay in the honors program.</p>

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<p>^Hasn’t the drop date passed already?
I believe that withdrawing AFTER the drop date does indeed carry weight or consequence - but could be wrong about this.</p>

<p>This is an excellent case where your son absolutely needs the bona fide services of his academic adviser to recommend the correct alternative. I would not go by anything we post here in that regard.
Cheers.</p>

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<p>^^good point.</p>

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<p>I’m a UMich Honors student who is in the med school interview process. 1 or 2 Ws will not hurt him, especially if it’s his freshman year. He can also get back into the Honors program if he is kicked out. I didn’t apply as a freshman, but I walked into the office after my freshman year, told them I wanted to be in, and they basically just said “ok.”</p>

<p>I would advise he not take 18 credits here unless he absolutely has to. Also, summer classes are a great way to take the stress off of regular semesters. Fewer, smaller classes. I’ve been going year-round and am graduating a year a head of schedule because of it. Also saving money :)</p>

<p>Also, he doesn’t have to be in the Honors program to graduate with honors–this is something not many people know. He can also do honors through his department. All of the paperwork says the same thing, regardless of how you complete the honors.</p>

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<p>sisterdisco–thanks for the great advice!</p>