Question by : How adversely will early class withdrawals effect my chances for PhD admissions?
I am a math major at a small state school near my home town which has unusually strong course offerings (e.g. algebraic topology and model theory), and I have done well in my upper-level math coursework thus far. I intend to apply to PhD programs in mathematics (at CUNY, Notre Dame, Dartmouth, Brandeis, Rutgers, Florida State, Utah, USC, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana, and Michigan, perhaps among others). However, early in my academic career (sophomore year) I underwent some changes in my personal situation (moved from home, became financially independent, etc.) which caused my to temporarily lose focus on my academics. I am a very strong student, but during that period I withdrew from a number of courses (six total) and had to retake them later. My withdrawals are all under the heading of “WF” on my transcript (institutional policy; I wouldn’t have dropped the courses if I had been passing them), but when I retook the courses I mostly received A’s (with an A- in linear algebra).
How much might my early mistakes in college (I remained an extra year in order to do well in upper level coursework) hinder my ability to be admitted to decent graduate programs in mathematics? I have been left with the impression, in reviewing graduate admissions, that upper-level coursework is far more important than introductory courses (i.e., in my case, the calculus sequence), and that having done well in the courses the second time around with consistency in those and my other classes might work in my favor.
Any insights?
Best answer:
Answer by Mr. X
Your end result would matter more than anything else so you should not worry if you had to drop courses in one year and had to retake them the next year.
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