Dropping Classes

When students are not passing a class, or perhaps finding it very difficult, the first thought might be to drop the class. The instructor might even recommend that a student withdraw rather than continue. This might be fine academically, but it will be a problem for maintaining immigration status.

In general, it is better for a student to take a No Credit (NC) for a class rather than a Withdraw (W), if dropping the course would place the student below 12 credit hours. An NC may keep a student in status, but a W will automatically put the student out of status. Students who definitely want to Withdraw from a class must meet with the International Student Counselor or Advisor first. It may be possible to add another class that will allow a student to maintain status.