Question about "W"s on your record, urgent please

liquidblue · Oct 23, 2007

I have 5 "Ws" on my transcript. Whenever I do not care for a professor's style of teaching, I drop the class and take it with another instructor.
I figure I'm paying for quality teaching. I'm not going to pay for a crappy instructor or one with a bad attitude.
I have all As following the Ws. I was accepted into my RN program on the first attempt and did fine.

Thank you!! I have had the same experience a couple of times. There are some folks out there who just do not need to be teaching.

I don't see anything wrong with some "Ws" on a transcript. As long as you meet the GPA (or other) requirements for entry into whatever nursing program it is you're choosing, then I (personally) think it's all good.

I guess it's frowned upon some places, though, so give the school a call just to be safe.

Nips · Oct 23, 2007

I withdrew from an english class back in 2003 because my course load was too heavy. I did not think that it affected my GPA but later found out that withdrawing from the class affected my credits earned and credits attempted ratio. When I left my first college my GPA was 3.45 but at my new college (in another state) my GPA dropped to 3.17. The college that I currently attend includes the attempted/earned credit ratio in factoring my GPA but I am not sure if all colleges do that.

You should keep the gap between your attempted credits and earned credits very narrow just to be on the safe side. So although a "W" may not lower your GPA, it can still make your transcripts look bad. Also in the future, you should look up reviews for the professors at your college. I have done that every semester....well all but one. I randomly chose my chemistry professor and regretted it after the first 5 minutes in class:uhoh21:.

liquidblue · Oct 24, 2007

Also in the future, you should look up reviews for the professors at your college. I have done that every semester....well all but one. I randomly chose my chemistry professor and regretted it after the first 5 minutes in class:uhoh21:.

Yes!! That is such a good idea. Ratemyprofessor.com is a pretty good site with quite a lot of ratings. I've found that most of the reviews (that I've based my choice of professors on) turn out to be accurate.

loricatus · Oct 24, 2007

Hi guys,
please share your experience or advise please...
Does it look bad if you have "W"s in your transcripts?
Let's say if you have three "W"s, one on Algebra (and then you got an "A" following semester), and two on Statistics (and then you got a good grade following semester on it)?
Even though Ws dont affect GPA, would they matter while being selected for the either ABSN or ELMSN programs (considering good GPA and high score on the NET)?
i am kind of worried about my transcripts,
thanks;)

My daughter nicknamed me the 'Queen of W' because when I first went back to school (not for nursing), I would sign up for more classes than I really wanted and would drop those that did not meet my expectations (poor curriculum, bad instructor, etc). Basically, I was shopping for classes and used the W for at least 2 classes every semester to get my biology degree (with honors). So, the answer to your question is---Ws don't make a difference. Your grades point average is the only thing that will be considered. Make the most of the Ws to keep that grade point average up. That is, unless there are restrictions on the amount of withdrawals you can have at your school. I heard they did that at the school I went to, after I left. Guess I'll be able to reign as the 'Queen of W' for a while longer.

pinkiepie_RN · Oct 25, 2007

I know for my entrance to the BSN program I'm currently in, they required a special application process to all who had re-taken more than 2 classes. I had 2 W's and 3 re-takes (1 class I had passed but wanted a better grade in it). I was required to write an essay explaining my situation, and send in 2 letters of recommendation. I was initially put on the waiting list and finally got off of the waiting list after 2 months, in plenty of time to start school with the rest of my class.

Hope this helps!

amzyRN · Oct 28, 2007

Hi guys,
please share your experience or advise please...
Does it look bad if you have "W"s in your transcripts?
Let's say if you have three "W"s, one on Algebra (and then you got an "A" following semester), and two on Statistics (and then you got a good grade following semester on it)?
Even though Ws dont affect GPA, would they matter while being selected for the either ABSN or ELMSN programs (considering good GPA and high score on the NET)?
i am kind of worried about my transcripts,
thanks;)

I had a lot of Ws on my transcript. For some dumb reason, I'd always miss the deadline. One semester I had a family emergency. Other than that my grades are pretty good. I got into SMCs ABSN program. I didn't apply to their ELMSN. I may have briefly explained my situation about family emergency. But I think that Ws may not be that bad. Just explain them briefly in your personal statement.