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Undergraduate Academic Advising Advising
  1. Undergraduate Academic Advising
  2. Students
  3. Grades and Academic Status
  4. Drops and Withdrawals

Withdrawing from Courses

Withdrawing from Courses

Withdrawing can refer to dropping a single class, or withdrawing from the quarter.

Drop Individual Course(s)

If you want to drop an individual course but remain enrolled in others

Withdrawal from Quarter

If you want to drop all courses in a quarter

Should you drop the class?
Advising Considerations for Dropping Individual Courses

  • Talk to your instructor about your grade and what you would need to do to successfully complete the course. At a certain point, it may be mathematically impossible for you to pass the class.
  • What grade do you need to earn to receive credit and complete the intended requirement? This varies based on whether the course is a GE, major, minor, university requirement, or elective. Contact your advisors via the VAC with questions.
  • W grades do not impact your GPA.
  • W grades are not bad! They exist as an option for students who cannot complete the course, for many reasons.
  • If you are worried about not getting into med school or graduate school due to W grades, keep in mind that these programs look for patterns. They are more concerned about repeated patterns of withdrawing from classes (e.g. dropping every Chemistry class) or multiple quarters of withdrawal. Even if these more challenging situations apply to you, personal statements allow you space to explain your story.
  • You can only withdraw from a specific course one time, per Academic Senate regulation 500.F.3, unless you withdraw from the entire quarter.
  • If you need to repeat the course after dropping it, you can usually register again. However, if you have previously earned a D/F/NP grade twice or more in the same course, you will need to petition to your College Dean of Academic Advising at vac.ucsd.edu for permission to enroll another time. This approval is not guaranteed.

Tuition: There is no tuition adjustment or refund for an individual course dropped for a W grade.

Financial Aid: If you receive financial aid, speak with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships about possible impacts on your Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Housing:If you have concerns about remaining in on-campus housing if you fall below 12 units, please contact the residence life office for the building where you live.

International Students: You must get approval to take fewer than 12 units due to visa requirements. Contact the International Services and Engagement Office.

Scholar Athletes: Talk to your athletics advisor before dropping below 12 units due to NCAA eligibility requirements.