I'm getting one of my midterm marks back and after some academic counselling regarding a program change, won't need the course anymore. It is completely unnecessary.
Since I plan to make up the 3 units by taking a Bio course in the summer, I am able to drop this Stats course.

What impact will this have on grad school applications?
I know (as my sister's a 4th year elsewhere) that maintaining a full credit load is vital to being accepted into some programs. As well, different schools place different importance on summer school - some not considering it valid for anything more than a Pass/Fail.

So I was wondering whether a 12 - 15 - 3 unit load would come back to bite me in 4 years?
I appreciate all your time
Please and thanks very much

If you plan on applying to certain graduate schools, then may bite you in the ass.

I would highly recommend that you maintain a full course-load during the academic year. Unless you're doing absolutely horribly (i.e 30% on a 40% midterm) I wouldn't drop it. If you plan on doing so, take another course in second semester to make up for it.

Originally Posted by goodnews.inc

I'm getting one of my midterm marks back and after some academic counselling regarding a program change, won't need the course anymore. It is completely unnecessary.
Since I plan to make up the 3 units by taking a Bio course in the summer, I am able to drop this Stats course.

What impact will this have on grad school applications?
I know (as my sister's a 4th year elsewhere) that maintaining a full credit load is vital to being accepted into some programs. As well, different schools place different importance on summer school - some not considering it valid for anything more than a Pass/Fail.

So I was wondering whether a 12 - 15 - 3 unit load would come back to bite me in 4 years?
I appreciate all your time
Please and thanks very much

I can say with the grade situation, if you take a course in Summer School, getting an actual grade or a Pass/Fail depends on what you do, and School.
If you take your Bio course at Mac in the summer, I'm almost certain that it counts as a grade. If you take Bio at a different Uni, depending on the program it will come up as a Pass/Fail.
So, if you want the actual grade, attend Bio class at Mac this summer.
But, to get a accurate answer, I would consider going back to the Academic Counsellor

Originally Posted by Deegs14

I can say with the grade situation, if you take a course in Summer School, getting an actual grade or a Pass/Fail depends on what you do, and School.
If you take your Bio course at Mac in the summer, I'm almost certain that it counts as a grade. If you take Bio at a different Uni, depending on the program it will come up as a Pass/Fail.
So, if you want the actual grade, attend Bio class at Mac this summer.
But, to get a accurate answer, I would consider going back to the Academic Counsellor

Yes, you get a grade if you take it at McMaster. It doesn't really matter though.

But, some grad schools don't like it if you don't take a full course load (30 units) during the September-April academic term. Even if you make up that one course during the summer, they may hold it against you.

how much does it cost for international students if one takes a summer course? is it same cost as full time course?

Originally Posted by Kanishka

how much does it cost for international students if one takes a summer course? is it same cost as full time course?

It's the same thing. It's counted per unit. It varies by faculty though, so you can check the following link: http://www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student/p...s_included.pdf

Tomorrow is the deadline to drop courses. is there a cutoff time? or anytime before 11:59 PM?

i think you should continue with the course. I was in a similar situation but with a math course, i mistakenly dropped it. Having 6 courses in second semester of first year was a bit overwhelming. Just stick with it and hopefully everything works out. I believe the deadline is extended a week because of the strike.

Originally Posted by reeves

Tomorrow is the deadline to drop courses. is there a cutoff time? or anytime before 11:59 PM?

It's been extended to Nov. 30 if I'm not mistaken....correct me if I'm wrong!

Originally Posted by Jay

If you plan on applying to certain graduate schools, then may bite you in the ass.

source? That doesn't make sense

Originally Posted by FireDragoonX

source? That doesn't make sense

I think what Jay is saying in response to my original concern is that certain graduate schools look at a student's performance every semester of every year.

Medical schools are especially particular about this as the ones with better names, evidently have higher standards.

I think (and this is just my reasoning though I could be wrong), they do this to ensure that students with good grades got them by working hard, not just taking a lighter load, doing the same work over more time, getting better looking grades yet not being able to withstand the pressure of an intensive and demanding curriculum.

Originally Posted by FireDragoonX

source? That doesn't make sense

For UofT Med, if you don't take a full-course load then their system of removing your lowest full-course equivalent doesn't apply to you. So, while everyone is dropping their lowest marks you aren't able to.

I think Western/Ottawa only count your GPA in years where you take a full-course load.

Originally Posted by marieeeeeee

It's been extended to Nov. 30 if I'm not mistaken....correct me if I'm wrong!

If it was changed, I didnt hear about it. The registrar webpage still says Nov 6 is the last day without academic penalty.

From the Faculty of Humanities (sent via email):

The course withdrawal deadline of November 6 has been changed due to the Strike by CUPE 3906, Unit 1. The revised date for course withdrawals will be one week after the end of the labour disruption or November 30, 2009, whichever is earlier. This change is in accordance with the Senate policy on the Rights and Responsibilities of Undergraduate Students During Work Stoppages that Substantially Disrupt Academic Activities (http://www.mcmaster.ca/senate/student/stoppage.htm).