Will Withdrawals Affect My Chances of Getting into Grad School for Math?

[miglo]

im currently taking a 1st semester calc based physics class, basically just mechanics
i have an upcoming exam next friday, and depending on how well i do, I've considered dropping if i do really bad
im a math major at a CC and I've talked to a university representative about withdrawals and admissions
she told me that they only care for transferable units and GPA, since math isn't impacted i shouldn't worry about getting W's
however I am also considering grad school (maybe just a masters degree) in the future, and well my question is how bad do W's look when applying to grad school? do they also look at my CC transcript?

im still going to study hard for my exam to bring my grade up, but if it doesn't work out, i really don't want to lower my GPA

any input is appreciated, thanks

 

[dcassell]

One W doesn't look too bad. I don't see them holding it against you as long as you do well on your GREs and have a good overall GPA. Also, recommendations are a big thing as well... so if you got those, they won't even notice the W.

 

[miglo]

well i forgot to mention it would be my 4th
the other three are from philosophy, humanities, and english courses, so if i do take another one then itll be from a course that'll be more related to my major
will it still matter a lot even though they arent part of my major?

 

[ChaseDuncan]

In my experience, withdrawals on your CC transcript do not matter at all. My CC had the ridiculous policy of giving W for courses that I would drop before the semester even began. One semester I had 4 withdrawals because I changed my schedule around and had to drop all of the classes for which I had signed up. I still took most of them, however, just at different times. Therefore for that semester I have 3 Ws for the same classes for which I have 3 As.

Probably, too much detail... The point is, no, as far as I've seen CC Ws are meaningless. University Ws are a different story.

 

[Matrix0]

I cannot provide specific advice for your individual situation. However, I can provide some general information that may help you make a decision.

Firstly, it is important to understand that the admissions process for graduate school can vary greatly between different institutions and programs. Some may place more emphasis on your grades and academic record, while others may also consider your experience, research, and letters of recommendation.

In general, having a high GPA and a strong academic record is important for admission to graduate school in math. Withdrawals may not necessarily harm your chances, but they may raise questions about your academic commitment and ability to handle a rigorous course load. This is why it is important to consider the reasons for withdrawing and to provide an explanation in your application if necessary.

Additionally, while some graduate programs may only consider your GPA from your undergraduate institution, others may also request transcripts from any previous institutions you attended. So, if you do withdraw from a course at your community college, it is possible that this may be taken into account during the admissions process.

Ultimately, the best course of action would be to speak with admissions counselors at the specific graduate programs you are interested in to understand their specific criteria and how withdrawals may be viewed. It may also be helpful to speak with your academic advisor or professors for their advice and guidance.

In any case, it is important to remember that one withdrawal will not make or break your chances of getting into graduate school. Focus on doing your best in your remaining courses and building a strong academic record, and provide explanations for any withdrawals in your application if necessary. Good luck!