Students: Academic Planning: Registration: Drop/Add

Should I Consider Dropping a Course?

University College first-year students (25 credits or below) may not drop more than one course per semester starting fall 2009. More information is available at http://uc.iupui.edu/students/academics/policies.asp. It is important to speak with your academic advisor in the Office of Academic and Career Development (Taylor Hall) before dropping any class.

Some reasons for late-dropping a course:

• You will probably fail the course.
• You are behind in all of your courses and dropping one will help you catch up in the others.
• You are not interested in finishing the course because your educational plans have changed.
• You are getting a lower grade than you want or than is needed to meet a requirement.
• You think your GPA will be too low if you keep the course.
• You need more time for work, study, family responsibilities, etc.

Some consequences of dropping a course:

• Could delay or prevent entering a major and could mean taking more time to graduate.
• Could affect your financial aid (and some scholarships) because you completed fewer credits.
• Could affect a number of benefits (such as health insurance coverage, participation in intercollegiate athletics, etc.) because of dropping below 12 credits (full-time status).

Note:  If you don’t drop a course and then receive an F in it, not only are these same consequences possible, but also your GPA will be lower.  

Assessing your grades

Before you consider dropping any course, you need to accurately assess your chances of earning satisfactory final grades. If you are unsure of the grading policies, your current grades, or how final grades will be determined in each of your courses, meet with your instructors to help you make accurate assessments.

1. Make a list of your courses and current grades.
2. Review the grading policy in each course syllabus to determine how your final grade will be calculated.
3. Consider the work remaining in each course and how it will affect your final grade.

*Adapted from Penn State University Division of Undergraduate Studies

Dates and Deadlines

Priority registration for summer 2009 (term I) is March 23–April 3, 2009.
http://registrar.iupui.edu/enrollment/4095/ss1/cal4095-ss1.html 

Priority registration for summer 2009 (term II) is March 23–April 3, 2009.
http://registrar.iupui.edu/enrollment/4095/ss2/cal4095-ss2.html  

Priority registration for fall 2009 is March 23–April 3, 2009.

http://registrar.iupui.edu/enrollment/4098/cal4098.html