So, the regular period to drop or add a course from your schedule has expired and now you’re realizing that a course just isn’t for you. You may wonder what your options are and how they may affect you. First, you do have an option and it is called a “late drop”.
When you enroll at Penn State you receive 16 “late drop” credits over your tenure as a student. It is important you use those credits wisely because once they are gone you cannot receive more. The period to use them began September 4 and will be over November 14th.
Second, this option can affect you so as you consider whether using late drop credits is right for you, let me propose some thoughts.
1. What is your reason for considering the drop?
If it’s because you are having a difficult time with the course material, determine (using a degree audit in eLion) if this course is required for your major. If so, dropping may not be a good option, because you’ll be required to take this course again and the material will be the same. However, if you will be receiving a failing grade or will be receiving a lower grade than you want or need to meet a requirement, you may decide to late drop the class.
If the reason is that you have a heavy course load and this one class is particularly difficult but you foresee an upcoming semester where you can pair it with some less rigorous options, late dropping may be for you.
Many other reasons exist that may cause you to consider late dropping, such as: financial difficulty, personal/home obligations that are time-consuming and require you to have a lower credit load, realizing the course is not a requirement for you and this semester is more demanding than initially foreseen, etc. Any of these reasons should be weighed in light of the pros and cons discussed in this post and in consultation with an academic adviser.
2. How many “late-drop” credits do you have remaining?
If you are nearing the end of your 16 credits, look to the future. How many semesters do you have left? Could you use those remaining credits at another more critical point?
3. Will late dropping this course reduce your credit load below 12 credits?
If so you will no longer be a full-time student and this may impact your financial aid and/or your health insurance coverage. In this case, do not late-drop the course until speaking with the Office of Student Aid (814-865-6301) and checking with your health insurance carrier.
4. Is this course a prerequisite for future courses you need or desire to take?
If so, late-dropping this course could jeopardize your progress toward graduation and may not be right for you.
Now, I’m sure you’re asking “how exactly do I late-drop a course?”. Late dropping a course, once you’ve consulted with your adviser, is actually a very simple process. Log into your eLion account and use the Late Course Drop application prior to the November 14th deadline. Or, you can complete a Registration Drop/Add Form so that the drop can be processed by an adviser, the department offering the course, or the Registrar’s Office. Please keep in mind that you will be charged a $6 processing fee for every course you late drop.
If you read over this post and thought, “I guess late dropping is not right for me. What do I do now?” Consider talking to your professor for feedback and recommendations on how you can improve in the class. Consider attending a tutoring session with Penn State Learning and visit your adviser to discuss options. I also strongly encourage you to visit your adviser if you still need to clarify whether using late drop credits is best for you.
Katelyn Perry
Academic Adviser