Drop Date FAQ

The Academic Calendar lists the Census Date and Drop Date for each semester. It also includes information about what the Census Date and Drop Date mean.

 

GENERAL FAQs

Q: If I drop a course between the Census Date (the 10th day of classes) and the Drop Deadline, what will appear on my transcript?

  • After Census Date through the end of the term, dropping a course will result in a “W” (for “Withdrawn”) listed in place of a grade on your transcript.

 

Q: I have an extenuating circumstance that is making it necessary for me to drop a course. What should I do?  

  • We strongly recommend you talk to your advisor before you drop a course. If you decide to drop the class after you meet with your advisor, you can do it in MyPack. Be prepared to have documentation of your situation.

 

Q: Do I have to meet with my instructor before I drop a course in MyPack?

  • We strongly recommend that you do so. Your instructor will help you determine your chances for success in the course with your current grades.

 

Q: Do I have to meet with my advisor before I drop a course in MyPack?

  • We strongly recommend doing so, so that you can discuss implications of any decision on your transcript and your Academic Progress.

 

Q: Is there a limit to the number of courses I can drop?

  • You can drop up to 16 credits before the Drop Deadline during your undergraduate career at NC State . These credits will count as attempted hours for course repeat, satisfactory academic progress, and tuition surcharge calculations. Dropping a course due to extenuating circumstances after the Drop Deadline will not count toward the 16 hour limit or tuition surcharge.
  • Courses that were dropped using Enhanced Drop during Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 do not count toward the 16 credit limit.

 

Q: What if dropping a course will put me below 12 credit hours (i.e. full time)?

 

Changing A course to Credit Only

Q: What does it mean to take a course for credit only (S/U)?

  • If you are enrolled for credit only, you must earn a C‐or better in the coursework to get credit (“S”). Degree requirements must be taken for a grade.
  • Courses that can be taken for credit-only:
    • Up to 12 free elective hours
    • PE courses
    • Courses only offered for credit, such as BSC 492/493/494

 

Q: If I change a course to credit only and earn an “S,” will I have to retake the course?

  • Unless it is one of the courses that can be taken for credit-only (see above), then yes, you need to retake the course to fulfill your degree requirement. Please consult with your advisor before you change a course to S/U.

 

Q: What are the advantages of taking a course for credit only?

  • Your grade will not affect your NC State GPA. 
  • Degree requirements must be taken for a grade.

 

Q: Are there any drawbacks or other considerations for taking a course for credit only?

  • Many graduate/professional schools may look negatively upon an unsatisfactory grade (“U”), and may recalculate your GPA in pre-requisite courses accordingly.
  • Changing to credit only can affect your compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • Please consult with your advisor before you change a course to S/U.

 

Auditing a course

Auditing a course is most useful if you want to refresh your knowledge about a course that you have taken in the past and already have credit for, or you want to learn more about a topic for your own benefit. Read the specifics about auditing here.

  • If you are not doing well in a course and are considering changing to audit solely to protect your GPA, talk with your advisor and instructor about whether this is a good idea.
  • Consider what you hope to gain from doing so, and if removing the requirements of studying and doing homework will help you in that goal.
  • Remember that it is generally better to have a course on your transcript only once.
  • Audit requests require a Schedule Revision Request through MyPack.

 

Information on Full Term Withdrawal