Story by Annika Grassl
The deadline to withdraw from a class while getting a “W” on your transcript is Oct. 18. But does a W on a transcript affect students?
This information is important for students to have as they navigate the challenging at Drake.
Professor Renee Cramer said that W’s don’t necessarily have a lasting impact on students.
“For things like law school, the transcript that might or might not show a drop doesn’t even get seen by the admissions committee. In most instances they care about what you (have) done, not what you haven’t,” Cramer said.
Cramer went on to explain how getting a “W” on your transcript may or may not negatively effect your GPA because if it is a required course, you will have to retake the class anyway.
Kathleen Richardson, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication stressed that receiving a “W” on your transcript may reflect negatively on your ability to handle the complex course material or be well–organized in planning ahead.
Richardson advised that if you are thinking about withdrawing from a class, you should first talk to your professor and advisor about various alternatives, whether these options be tutoring or going to office hours for help.
Richardson made it clear that withdrawing from a class should be a last resort but may be acceptable for a student who needs to keep his or her GPA up in order to keep an academic scholarship. Richardson encouraged students to get out of their comfort zones to expand their skill set.
“Getting a ‘W’ can say a lot of different things, either a difficult professor or underachieving student are the most likely, though,” says Domenic Lamberti, a junior law, politics and society and sociology double major. Lamberti added that, “My roommate freshman year had to drop simply because he wasn’t in the right major or course.”
Junior Sami Smith said that withdrawing from a class and receiving a “W” on your transcript reflects negatively on a student’s organization skills.
“Withdrawing from a class gives students a second chance for a class they weren’t academically prepared for,” Smith said. “There have been some people I have seen who have withdrawn from a class. I’ve realized those are the people who don’t necessarily cut it in leadership roles or who are able to adhere to strict deadlines.”
