Dropping A Class: What to Consider and How Will it Affect Me?

Ever thought about dropping a class? Dropping a class is an option to take for many reasons. Some students drop classes if they are failing and don’t think there’s a chance to pass. Others because they overloaded their schedule by taking too many classes are are overwhelmed. Whatever the reason may be, you don’t want to make this decision lightly so we’ve listed a few different things you want to consider when thinking about dropping a class.The KTC Team always encourages you to meet with an academic adviser to get information unique to your college and major.

Course Sequences

In college, many classes are sequential. You may have to take Calculus I before moving onto Calculus II. If the class you want to drop is part of a sequence, think carefully about how dropping it might bump everything down in your schedule. Not only will you be starting your sequence later than you planned, you may have to adjust your timeline for future class selection for the next semester(s).

Major Selection and Completion

If the course is a prerequisite for the major you intend to declare, consider the longer-term consequences of being unable to enter the major by missing out on fulfilling your prereq. If the class is a required upper level course you need to graduate within your major, you’ll have to make a plan for when you will take that course again.

Graduation Track and Timeline

Typically, you need to to be taking 15 credit hours each semester to remain a full-time student who is on track for graduation within four years. If you drop a class and become a part-time student, you will need to look at your graduation timeline carefully. Explore options to take classes over the summer or winter break if you want to remain on the four-year graduation timeline. If you don’t try to recover your credits during your breaks, ask yourself if you’re OK with remaining in college an extra semester.

Financial Aid

The important thing to know here is the amount of credit hours you will be left taking if you drop a class. If you are dropping from fifteen to twelve, you are still a full-time student. If you are dropping from twelve to nine, you are a part-time student. You will need to check with your financial aid office for the minimum number of credits you are required to take to keep your scholarships, grants, or loans. Colleges will typically require a specific “completion rate” of classes you take, so reducing your completion rate by dropping classes may result in your financial aid being at risk of being reduced or taken away.

Drop Deadlines & Transcript

The date you drop a class in college is important. If you successfully drop before an add/drop deadline, the class likely will not even show up on your transcript. If you drop the class afterwards, it may show up as a "W" for withdrawal. Some employers or graduate schools may look at your transcript as part of your application and having too many may not reflect well. You may also have to pay a fee if you drop past a certain deadline.

Alternatives to Dropping

Passing and completing your classes are important priorities for any college student. If you're dropping a class because you're too busy working too many hours at your part-time job or spending too much time on your extracurriculars, you may want to consider working less to make more time to study and take advantage of on-campus academic support resources. Take advantage of free tutoring, going to office hours of your TA or professor, and joining study groups with friends or peers. Adjusting your academic habits midway through the semester may end up saving you money and time from having to take the class again.

Just remember, dropping a class is an option, but make sure to look at all your other options for dealing with the problems you have in that course. Just as important, you need to carefully evaluate the consequences of dropping a class and adjust your plans for completing your degree accordingly. Reach out to your on-campus Academic Adviser and/or KTC Alumni Counselor for further advice.