About two-thirds of the way through each semester there is a date that marks the last point at which students can withdraw from a class or change a class to Pass/Fail grading in SPIRE. The UMass Academic Calendar is the place to look for this date. This post provides information that should help you think about your options.
First, let’s talk about Pass/Fail Grading
Each semester, students can choose to switch one graded class to Pass/Fail grading This means that as long as you PASS the class, you will receive a final grade of P on your transcript, you will earn the credits for that class toward the 120 credit total that you need to graduate, and there will be NO impact on your GPA.
Some things to think about:
- Classes that are taken Pass/Fail CANNOT count toward General Education requirements or major requirements.
- If you FAIL a class for which you’ve selected Pass/Fail grading, it DOES show up as an F on your transcript and that WILL factor into your GPA.
- You can revoke the Pass/Fail option after grades come out and take the letter grade you earned for that class. You might choose to do this if the grade you earned would improve your GPA and/or you’d like the class to fulfill a requirement. You can revoke the P at any time prior to graduation, regardless of when the class was taken.
Why might you elect P/F grading?
- The main purpose of Pass/Fail grading is to allow students to enroll in a course to explore interesting content without being as concerned about grading. This is a great option for exploring a subject that you think you might be interested in but you’ve never tried before.
- If you are in a class and it’s not going as well as you hoped, you can choose the Pass/Fail option to protect your GPA. This can take some of the pressure off and help you do better in the class.
- If you are exploring a major and took a class for that purpose but now realize that the major is not really for you and you want to focus more on your other classes, you might use the Pass/Fail grading option.
Only use the Pass/Fail option if you are confident that you can PASS the class. If you think you might fail, you might want to consider withdrawing from the class instead.
Why might you decide to withdraw from a class?
- If you are failing a class and know that you won’t be able to pass it.
- If you have taken on too much during the semester or are dealing with extenuating circumstances and need to lighten your course load.
Before you choose to withdraw, you should consider having a conversation with your professor or an academic advisor to find out if there are options for improving your performance.
Some things to think about :
- For some students, dropping a class may mean they drop below full-time status (you have to be enrolled in 12 credits to be full-time). For MOST students this is not a problem, however, there are a couple of categories of students who should consult with an advisor, academic dean, or financial aid counselor before they drop a class:
- International students CANNOT drop below 12 credits unless they have a medical reason.
- Athletes on scholarship typically cannot drop below 12 credits and maintain eligibility in their sport. Those students can check in with an academic dean to discuss options.
- Students with a Pell grant should consult with a financial aid counselor before dropping below 12 credits.
What does a “W” on my transcript mean?
Many students worry that they will not be able to pursue graduate school or other post-graduate opportunities if they have a “W” from a withdrawn class on their transcript. This is not true! The “W” is merely a notation that you dropped a class after the Add/Drop period ended. There is no impact on your GPA when you withdraw from a class.
What happens if I miss the deadline for Pass/Fail or W-drop?
- SBS Academic Deans hold a “grace period” day on the day after the W-drop date. You can come to our office (128 Thompson Hall) to speak with an academic dean about your wish to drop a class or change to Pass/Fail grading.
- Beyond the grace period day, you can petition the academic deans for an exception.
- Late withdrawals are typically only granted due to extenuating circumstances; poor academic performance does not qualify as an extenuating circumstance. Late P/F petitions are rarely granted. You can find both the late withdrawal petition and the late P/F petition in the “How Do I?” section of the SBS Pathways website.
