Course Withdrawal Considerations

Students should consider the potential academic benefits and adverse consequences of withdrawing from any course. Although this decision is ultimately up to the student to make, Skidmore strongly encourages students to discuss the implications with their faculty advisor, OP advisor, and/or the Office of Academic Advising before deciding. Visit the Office of the Registrar's Course Withdrawal Process web page to learn more.

Forms

Visit Registrar Forms to find the appropriate course withdrawal form.

The Course Withdrawal Without Penalty form is used prior to the last three weeks of the term.
The Course Withdrawal WITH Grade Penalty is in effect during the last three weeks of the term.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Once the Add/Drop period has passed, students may no longer drop a course. Instead, they have the option of withdrawing from a course without grade penalty before the stated deadline in the academic calendar.

A student is limited to a maximum of two withdrawals (W) while completing the baccalaureate degree but may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for additional withdrawals to address significant challenges. Students must submit the withdrawal without penalty application by the deadline published in the academic calendar.

Petitions for 3 or more

The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) understands that students may have extenuating circumstances that warrant some flexibility around the course withdrawal policy. Students who wish to petition the CAS for a third W (or more) should follow the steps below.

1. Go to the electronic Course Withdrawal Without Grade Penalty from the Registrar Forms webpage.
2. Indicate on the form that it would be the "Third or more W since entering Skidmore."
3. Upload a written petition that explains the significant challenge that you have faced that warrants an exception to the policy, and reflects upon why you are unable to persist in the course. To protect the privacy of any sensitive personal information that you share, this petition is only sent to the CAS; it does not get sent to your course instructor or faculty advisor.
4. Include a general explanation in the "Reason for this request" text block. This information is sent to your course instructor and faculty advisor. You should include enough information that you feel comfortable sharing so your instructor and advisor can appropriately review your request.
5. Last, your petition will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing at their next weekly meeting. You are expected to continue to attend class until your request has been reviewed and a determination has been made.

Deadline

The course withdrawal deadline is posted in the 2024-25 Academic Calendar and is about 10 weeks into the Fall/Spring semesters. Most students will have a sufficient understanding of their academic standing in each course by this point in the semester to make an informed decision about their ability to persist in the course.

Students who do not submit a completed form with the approval of both their instructor and faculty advisor to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline will receive grades as earned in each of their courses. The Committee on Academic Standing will consider late withdrawals when there are extenuating circumstances.

For Fall 2024, the course withdrawal deadline is Thursday, November 14th, 2024.

For Spring 2025, the course withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 10th, 2025.

Grade

Students receive a grade of “W” that is not factored into their GPA. However, it does appear on students' transcript.

falling below 12 credits

In most cases, students maintain their full-time status and remain eligible for on-campus housing even if withdrawing from a course causes them to earn fewer than 12 credits for the term. However, there are important implications for several student populations:

• Students who receive NY State grants may become ineligble.
• Student athletes may be ineligible to participate in NCAA athletics.
• In order to maintain visa status, international students must obtain approval from the International Student Advisor in Student Academic Services and stay within International Studies guidelines as a full-time student.

Academic Benefits

The potential benefits of withdrawing from a course may include the following:

• Prevent students from earning a low or failing grade.
• Allow students to concentrate their efforts in courses that they can be more successful in.
• Allow students to redirect their academic goals.
• Lighten students’ course load so they can focus on other personal matters or medical issues.

Adverse Consequences

Although a grade of “W” does not adversely affect students’ GPA, there are other consequences, including the following:

• Students do not earn credit for the course(s) they withdraw from.
• Students’ timeline to graduation may be delayed.
• Students may have to wait one or more semesters until the course is offered again, which is particularly important if the course is a requirement for their major or minor.
• Students may need to take an increased credit load in a subsequent term(s) to make up for the loss of earned credits.
• Students may need to take a summer course to make up for the loss of earned credits.
• If students complete fewer than 14 credits for the term, they are ineligible for the Dean's List.

Financial Considerations

The cost of college attendance is expensive. Skidmore charges a flat fee for full-time tuition, so students pay the same amount whether they are enrolled in 12 credits or 18 credits. If students withdraw from one or more courses and no longer have the option of earning 12 or more credits, then they must weigh the potential benefit of successfully completing their remaining courses against the value of what they are paying.

In some cases, it may be in students’ best interest to take a personal leave of absence by the stated deadline and return to Skidmore the following semester. The Schedule for Liability from the Bursar’s Office illustrates the refund percentage according to the date that students take a leave of absence.

Additionally, students who are struggling with their physical or mental health may benefit from taking a medical leave of absence to focus on their recovery and wellbeing. If students have tuition insurance, they may be eligible to receive a greater refund of their tuition, fees, room and meals.

Visit our Leaves of Absence web page to learn more about this academic option.

Contact Us

The staff in the Office of Academic Advising are available to discuss these considerations and academic options with students in greater detail.