What is "course withdrawal"?
If a student is struggling with a course, they may be advised to "withdraw" from a course to avoid receiving a failing grade, which will appear on their academic transcript permanently. If a student withdraws from a course, the grade will appear as "W", which normally has a more neutral connotation.
Is there a Deadline for Course Withdrawal?
Yes! The course withdrawal period begins the day after the end of the "Add/Drop" period and ends about a month or so before the semester ends. It's very important to check the Academic Calendar for exact dates; you cannot request to withdraw from a course after the listed deadline.
Can an F-1 Student "Withdraw" from a course instead of receiving a failing grade?
No! As an F-1 International student, you are required to follow full-time enrollment requirements at all times. If you are interested in withdrawing from a course, you need to request permission from your International Student Adviser (ISO) by completing the form linked below.
Request Permission to Withdraw from a Course Now
Course Withdrawal vs. Withdrawal from MassArt
A "withdrawal" from the college is different from a "course withdrawal". If you are planning to withdraw from MassArt, you must meet with your (ISO) before formally withdrawing. If you choose to withdraw from the college without permission from your ISO, it is considered a violation of your immigration status and may have significant consequences on future US immigration.
Course Withdrawal vs. Dropping a Course
A "course withdrawal" is also different from "dropping a course". Students can only "drop" a course during the designated "add/drop" period, which is during the first 2 weeks of the semester. "Add/Drop" is a flexible time when students are allowed to change their minds about which courses they'd like to take and may add or drop courses for that semester. Once this period ends, students can no longer "add" or "drop" courses.