Career Implications Of Adding, Dropping And Withdrawing From Courses
Getting Started
Deciding whether to add, drop, or withdraw from a course is a personal decision, and there’s often no single “right” path. Your choice may depend on academic goals, personal circumstances, or future career plans.
The Science Careers & Experience Centre can provide guidance on the career implications of course changes. For support with the process of adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a course—and how these actions appear on your transcript—please speak with a Science Academic Advisor at the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, BSB 136.
For personalized advice on how course selection and withdrawals may impact your career or graduate school applications, book an appointment with a Science Career Advisor at the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) through OSCARplus.
What is the difference between dropped vs. withdrawn courses?
- Dropped courses are removed from your student record when dropped before the official deadline for course changes. While tuition is refunded, dropping a course may still affect financial aid like OSAP or entrance awards. Refer to the Session Dates in the Academic Calendar for Add/Drop deadlines.
- Withdrawn courses are removed after the course change deadline and remain on your transcript with a “W.” They may involve cancellation fees and can also impact financial aid or awards.
Learn about the academic processes, deadlines and definitions of add/drop and withdrawals on the Office of the Registrar website.
For support on how course add/drop or withdrawals will impact your progress in your academic program, speak with a Science Academic Advisor at the Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, BSB 136.
Impact of course withdrawals on post-grad applications
You may be weighing the impact of a “W” on your postgraduate plans vs. the impact of staying in the course. If this is you, ask yourself the following 10 questions:
- Do I have a pattern of 2 or more Ws?
- How closely have I reviewed the admission requirements and policies of the post-grad programs I am interested in?
- How competitive are the post-grad programs?
- Will I still able to maintain a competitive GPA for the post-grad program?
- Do the post-grad programs require the course I am considering withdrawing from?
- Does the post-grad program have a minimum course grade requirement?
- Have I talked to an Academic Advisor about the option of retaking the course?
- How will withdrawing/retaking the course impact my studies at McMaster and any financial aid I am receiving?
- Am I struggling in more than one course this semester?
- Have I accessed academic skills support from the Student Success Centre?
Key Considerations When Withdrawing From A Course
Withdrawing from a course can feel like a difficult decision, especially when you’re thinking about future career or graduate school plans. Postgraduate programs typically assess applicants holistically, so the impact of a withdrawal depends on your overall academic record, the reasons behind the withdrawal, and the policies of the institution you’re applying to. Here are some important factors to consider:
Key Considerations When Adding or Dropping Courses
Course selection decisions can have academic, career, and graduate school implications. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some important factors to consider when deciding whether to add or drop a course:
