What is a “W” Anyway?

What is a W Anyway?
How to decide if taking a W is right for you

Short answer: A W standing will replace the final grade on your transcript, if you drop the course prior to the W deadline.

Long answer: Every course a student registers for will be permanently recorded on their UBC transcript. A student may withdraw from a course with a W standing, prior to the published deadline, usually set to the end of the sixth week after the beginning of classes.

A W standing will appear on the transcript, in place of a final grade. W standings are excluded from all GPA calculations. The W standing will remain on the student’s transcript, even if they repeat the course in a future term. No tuition refunds will be offered for withdrawn courses after the published deadlines.

Learn more: Dates and deadlines

Jamil Rhajiak / UBC Brand & Marketing

W standing and full-time enrollment status

Withdrawing from a course also changes the number of credits a student is registered for, which could change their status from full-time enrolled to part-time enrolled. Maintaining full-time student status can be important for financial aid, awards, UBC residence contracts and international students with study permits.

Learn more: UBC enrollment definitions for immigration purposes

W standing and registration

No credits will be granted for a course with W standing. A course with W standing cannot be used to meet pre-requisites for future courses. If you take a W for a required course, you will need to take that course again and start it from the beginning and pay tuition fees. Taking a W for a course can delay progression in your program, especially for Engineering students, which is why it may be helpful to consult with your program’s academic advisor first. Most Engineering courses are offered only once per year during Winter session, with few courses offered over the Summer.

For first year students, please note that in order to be eligible for second year placement, you must complete a minimum of 27 credits from the first year Engineering curriculum before April 30. We strongly recommend that you plan to complete all of your first year requirements as early as possible to keep pace with your program and build up a foundation for success in your upper level classes. Please note that only a limited selection of Engineering courses are offered during the Summer Term each year. Researching which courses were offered last Summer’s in SSC can help you make an informed plan.

Learn more: second year placement

Martin Dee / UBC Brand & Marketing

Why does my sessional average matter?

In many cases, if you are at serious risk of failing a course, taking a W standings have no impact on your sessional average. W standings have no impact on the GPA, whereas an F grade can potentially drop your GPA by several points.

A low sessional average can result in academic probation or failed year standing (see academic regulations). If you are a first year Engineering student, your sessional average is one of the biggest factors in whether you will receive a second-year placement into your choice of specialized program, along with your personal statement.

What does a W mean for my long term future?

The long-term impact of a W standing may be less dire than many students may think. While it is realistic to be concerned that taking a W could potentially add more time to complete your degree, it is much less likely to be impactful to your future employment prospects.

As for grad schools, one or two W grades on your transcript are unlikely to be viewed as a negative, especially considering the Engineering program’s heavy course load (and the COVID-19 pandemic we are all currently living through). However, a consistent pattern of W’s may signal trouble with time management or with anticipating workload.

If notice a pattern of W’s emerging on your transcript, consider meeting with your academic advisor prior to registration to build a more manageable course plan.

Martin Dee / UBC Brand & Marketing

Okay, got it. So… should I take a W for my course?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Have you tried UBC’s free resources for academic support?
• Is this course a pre-requisite for any future courses I need to take?
  • If YES: when is the next Term this course will be offered? Check SSC to find out which Terms have offered this course in the past. An academic advisor’s help can be valuable to figure this out.

• Do you know for certain that you are going to fail this course?
  • IF YES: What is your projected sessional average? Are you at risk of failed year standing?
    • IF YES: If failed year standing is a real possibility, a W standing may better than an F grade.
    • IF NO: Consider attempting to complete the course.
      Think of it this way, if you take a W, you know for certain you will need to repeat the course. If you attempt to finish, there is still a chance that you can pass the course and remain on track to complete your degree on schedule.

• Will dropping this course mean you no longer meet the definition of full-time enrollment, in order to maintain:
  • Your financial aid and/or awards?
  • Your UBC residence contract?
  • Your eligibility to work on/off-campus with your study permit?
  • Your eligibility for your post-graduation work permit?

Learn more: how to calculate your course load

The decision to take a W standing can be complex, but the good news is you don’t have to make this decision on your own. Academic advising is here to help you navigate your options, plus any concerns you may have about your academic progress. We look forward to meeting with you to help you make a confident decision about whether W standing is the right choice for you.

Catherine McInnis
Academic Advisor, Domestic and International

Posted: February 16, 2021