Late Drop

This semester is finally drawing to a close.

For some students, those words bring immense happiness.  These students have spent the entire semester working hard, and are excited for a well-earned summer vacation.

If you’re anything like me though, you might be a bit saddened by those words.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of summer, but I’m also sad to leave behind this great school I called my home.  Even if I'm only leaving it for 3 months. 

But it was a good year.  I have no regrets.

With the closing of each semester, there’s always one important date that creeps in around this time.  It’s probably something that most of us don’t even think about, but it is still something we should keep our eye on.

Late Drop.

I’m sure most of you are familiar with that term.  Late Drop is the deadline you have to – well basically drop out of a class.

It’s an interesting concept; an option we were never given in high school.  In high school, if you were doing bad in one of your classes, you’re only two options were either to get your grade up, or face the consequences of a low grade.  You were never allowed to just drop whatever class you were doing bad in, so that grade didn’t appear on your report card.

It just goes to show how much freedom we are afforded as college students.

Be warned though.  Late Drop is not necessarily a “get-out-of-jail-free” card.  There are consequences for utilizing it.

If you are doing bad in one of your classes and decide to late drop it, you’ll no longer be receiving those credits.  Every college student usually takes about 15-18 credits a semester, each course being about 3-4 credits.  This is because we need around 120 credits to graduate.  If you late drop a course, you’ll have to make up those missing credits at some point in your college career. 

Also, you only have a certain number of Late Drop credits, meaning you can’t drop a course each semester.

While I have never personally late dropped a course, I know of people who have.  Not just one, but two of my roommates late dropped Math 140 last semester.  Both of them were failing, or near failing, and deciding they didn’t want that one course to ruin their GPA. 

The late drop deadline for Penn State university is – today!  By tonight, you have to decide if there is course you wish not to complete, because you don’t think there’s anyway you’ll be able to get a good grade in it. 

Are you considering late dropping a course? Here are some things you should know!

Talk with your professor first:  See what they have to say about it.  Maybe there’s a way you can still get a good grade in the course!  Your professors are there to help, even if it has to do with dropping their class. 

Talk with your advisor: Your advisor is also there to help you.  They’re the ones who know what courses you should be taking, so see what their opinion is on the manner.

Still need some more help deciding?

• Here is Penn State's policy on dropping a course
• Here is detailed look on what it really means to late drop a course