What is the difference between dropping a course with record (W) and with No record?

Question

What is the difference between dropping a course with record (W) and with No record?

Answer 1

(wrong area btw...)

"With record" means the class will show up on your transcript, but with the grade of a "W".  A grade of a W does not affect your GPA.  Depending on your school's policies, you may need to justify why you should be allowed to drop the class, and be warned that "because I'm failing it" is usually not a suitable excuse.

"Without record" means the class does NOT show up on your transcript.  At the beginning of each term, you are allowed to freely drop, add, or change your classes with no problem.  This is so you can change your schedule, override into a class that's already full, take a different section in case you don't like the teacher, etc.   This grace period usually only lasts a week or  two, and after that if you want to drop a class, it will show up as a "W".

Answer 2

My school only allows very few "W" 's to be on your record. The "W" shows up when you drop a class in the middle or at the end of the semester. When you drop during the free period of a few weeks at the start of the semester you can take a "W" and it will not be on record. This way you can change your scheduale in case you had a surprise in your classes.



I was told to try and take an INC or incomplete. This way I can study until next semester and then take the tests from the class. If I pass the tests from the course then I get the grade I earned on the tests. This is good for a class like history because you can study all summer then get the 3 credits for the class when you pass the tests in the fall. You have to make yourself study so you can pass the tests.

A "W" on your transcripts is OK as long as you don't have one every semester. Good Luck with your course.