In the case that “everything is going poorly”…

Example: You are failing 3 or more of your classes miserably; and there is no chance to improve with what remains of the semester. You can withdraw from all classes, so long as you do so before 4:30pm Monday, December 11th (the last day of classes). 

This kind of situation might arise if you’ve had lingering health problems; if there’s been a medical or personal crisis with you or your family; or if there is a situation happening in your life that are so distracting that schoolwork has become impossible to do; and you have fallen hopelessly behind.

WILL WITHDRAWING FROM ALL MY CLASSES LOOK BAD?

  • Not if you do it for reasons like the one(s) given above. In fact, it might be the WISER thing to do if a semester full of D’s and F’s is the alternative, and they are in courses related to your major (that you will need to repeat, anyway).
  • Academic advisors and graduate schools may ask you “what happened?” the semester you withdrew, but they will review the entire transcript, not just one semester, when assessing your readiness for the next level of coursework.
  • You do NOT need permission from anyone to withdraw the first time you do this; you might need permission to return to Maryland, however, if this is your second withdrawal.

HOW DO I WITHDRAW FROM ALL MY CLASSES?

  • Contact the Registrar’s Office. Be sure they understand that you are asking to withdraw from ALL your classes, not just one (the deadline for that has already passed).
  • There are two forms you’ll need to fill out that you can access HERE. Please return both forms to the Office of the Registrar, First Floor, Mitchell Building, College Park, Maryland 20742; fax: 301-314-9568; or email: registrar-help@umd.edu.
  • The staff will ask if you intend to return next semester. If so, they will allow you to stay registered for classes; however, you may want to contact me to discuss schedule adjustments, given your new situation.
  • Finally, YOU DO NOT NEED PERMISSION from anyone at the University to withdraw; however, you might need permission to return to Maryland if this is your second withdrawal.

HOW WILL MY TRANSCRIPT LOOK?

  • Your official transcript will have a notation that looks like this: ********* WITHDRAWN (date) ********** There will be no indication of whether you were passing or failing at the time of your withdrawal.

WILL I GET A REFUND?

  • According to the withdraw deadline/policy, December 12 is the last day to withdraw from all courses with a 0% refund.

WHAT ABOUT “INCOMPLETES”? WHAT ARE THEY?

  • “Incompletes” are temporary grades that professors can give, PROVIDED you have satisfactorily completed the vast majority of your class work; and that what remains is a clearly defined portion of work. It is NOT a grade that professors can give to “protect” you from a failing grade. Generally, this kind of option is available to students who have documented family/medical situations that occur at the very end of the semester.
  • Professors are not “required” to give Incompletes, however.
    For a detailed version of University policies regarding Withdrawals and Re-Enrollment, go to:
    https://www.registrar.umd.edu/current/registration/withdraw.html