Receiving a 'W' in a Graduate Class

[wesley7777]

Hello,

I am a graduate student and I currently taking a class that is unrelated to anything that I am doing in my research or field of study. I was told by my graduate advisor that I would need another class this semester, however, that turns out to be incorrect and I no longer need this class. I am not doing bad in the class at all and I have no academic reason to drop, I currently have a 97 in the class. But the class is not related to my research, does not interest me, and more importantly is eating into my research time. I was wondering does having one 'W' on your graduate transcript look bad. I currently have a 4.0 and there is no way I can get out of the class without getting a 'W'. Just wondering what you all thought about taking the 'W'. If it really looks bad for later then I will just push on through with this class. Thanks for the help.

 

[Pengwuino]

No, especially when it's a class wholly unrelated to your major or research. People who are going to review your transcripts aren't stupid, they know that dropping, say, advanced south american economics while you're a grad student in physics or chemistry or whatever doesn't say anything about what your abilities are, for example.

 

[wesley7777]

No, especially when it's a class wholly unrelated to your major or research. People who are going to review your transcripts aren't stupid, they know that dropping, say, advanced south american economics while you're a grad student in physics or chemistry or whatever doesn't say anything about what your abilities are, for example.

Well that is good to hear. I am a computer architecture type person focusing on memory design. The class is weather radar and while the radar engineering part is interesting learning graduate meteorology is killing my time. It is just not worth it I think.

 

[Pyrrhus]

Just make sure you don't give the impression that you are struggling in your graduate program. That's what is important.