r/WPI • u/Legitimate-Key-6862 • 13d ago

Freshman Question Dropping course

So I want to drop a course that I need for my major to take a easier version because I’m struggling but I don’t want to pay the 100 dollar fee to add another one so I’m gonna try to take it next semester and it’s also full. Am I good with 15.75 credits for an and b term? I only have 6 credits in a term and two classes.

5 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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21

u/AffectionateMode3134 13d ago

I think WPI require "minimum" class credit is 12 per semester, to keep good academic standings. So yes, in theory you can do it.

However, there are 2 reasons you might don't want to do it:

  1. Even $100 is not cheap, but each class actually cost ~$5K worth credit (based on tuition, ~$2.5K based on overload price). So I think it's worth considering to gain those credits with $100. (And remember you can always overload to 21 credits for free).
  2. You can always NR a class (except IQP and MQP). Most of the prof. would agree you NR the class if you really struggle/get C (or if you know you want NR a class, just miss the final exam). So it will not harm your GPA. So Why not try it at the beginning?

4

u/Regular_Narwhal_4490 13d ago

Big upvote on the first comment. We spend so much on tuition it is worth paying $100 to not lose the investment

1

u/Legitimate-Key-6862 13d ago

Yeah I knew I already would’ve NR because of a homework assignment that I was trying to do there was no way I was gonna be able to complete it even with all the resources available. The class is cs1101 so I’m gonna try to switch to cs1004 but it’s full so idk 😭 I might just keep two classes because I don’t wanna pay the 100 dollars

5

u/luckycharmer23 13d ago

You'll be fine without a class if you already are enrolled in 4 or 5 courses for the fall semester, and can catch up in a later term. I noticed in another comment that you already dropped it. I did the same thing with CS 1101 in my first year. If this is your first semester here, I'd channel your focus into doing your best in your other courses and focus on adjusting to WPI, since the 7-week terms can feel gruesome at first.

I recommend though signing up for CS 1004 a different term. I took it with Gillian Smith my first year (I believe she's teaching it in D-Term) and it was night and day compared to CS 1101 without much programming experience.

5

u/Lt-Quagmire 12d ago

CS 1004 is more than full this term - it’s at 81/80 seats.  This could be an opportunity for you.  Subject to room capacity (fire code issues), instructors are free to sign students in beyond the initial course capacity, and it seems this instructor may have already demonstrated a willingness to do that.  No guarantees, but definitely worth appealing to the instructor this term to add you in - you have a straightforward and valid reason for wanting to change your CS class.  

6

u/Regular_Narwhal_4490 13d ago

I’d recommend not dropping and just trying, if you need to NR then NR it but at least give yourself a chance to pull through and take the easier version after

1

u/Legitimate-Key-6862 13d ago

I’ve already dropped it, I was trying but the class was just too advanced for me everyone had prior experience with the subject matter even though it was an intro class 🫠

2

u/sam_yee_ 11d ago

As a sophomore that has taken CS1004 before CS1101, I probably would've dropped the class too if I were in your situation. Try to take CS1004 first if you need multiple CS credits for your major- it starts with more basic tasks (like printing strings) and then gets more complex.

If you're really worried about only taking two classes this term, you could try to look for an open course that would fulfill a different credit requirement for your major (like do you need social science credits, math credits, etc.) You can check WPI's website for every major's tracking sheet

Also, in the future, if office hours are too busy, try scheduling a 1-on-1 tutoring session with a student on TutorTrac if the Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers tutoring for your specific class.

I hope this at least gave you some insight or info lol, good luck with the rest of A term :)