As the Q-drop deadline approaches many students have questions. Below are the procedures for Q-dropping a course at A&M and Blinn. General information and frequently-asked questions about Q-dropping are also provided.
A&M Procedures
To Q-drop a course at A&M, go to the TAP Advising Office (Hotard Hall, third floor). Students must complete a Q-drop request form and meet with an academic advisor before the deadline. To save time, complete the form and take it with you: (http://registrar.tamu.edu/forms/Q-Drop_Form.pdf).
Blinn Procedures
There are two ways to Q-drop a course at Blinn:
1. Drop it yourself in My Blinn.
-Go to My Record
-Select Add or Drop
-Select Current Term
-Select Web Drop for the course(s) to be dropped
-Select Submit Changes
2. Go to Enrollment Services for assistance (in the Administration Building). If you need to drop a course for good reason with no record due to unavoidable extenuating circumstances, go to Enrollment Services. Only certain reasons will be approved.
NOTE: Blinn charges a fee of $15 for a dropped course.
General Information
• For A&M rules, see http://student-rules.tamu.edu, rule 1.16.
• For Blinn rules, see http://www.blinn.edu/student%20handbook.pdf, page 27.
• A maximum of six (6) total drops are allowed from all state institutions attended during their undergraduate career.
-At A&M the limit is four (4) Q-drops during the student’s A&M career.
• Requests for late Q-drops are typically not approved.
• Dropping below 12 credit hours may affect the following (consult an advisor for details):
-financial aid eligibility
-health insurance
-military veteran educational benefits
-NCAA eligibility
-international student regulations
-student activity officer positions
• All 1-hour courses DO NOT count toward the 4 Q-drop A&M maximum, but they DO count toward the State limit of 6 drops from Texas public institutions (which include A&M, Blinn, hometown community colleges, etc.).
• If a lecture and companion lab are dropped at the same time, this will count as one Q-drop rather than two. Example: Dropping OCNG 251 and 252 together (lecture & lab) only count as 1 Q-drop.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Q: If I drop below 12 hours will I be “kicked off” the Blinn TEAM?
A: No. The TEAM contract specifies that each student must “attempt” at least 12 hours per semester, not necessarily complete 12 hours.
Q: If I decide not to drop a course and end up with a GPA below 3.0, will I be kicked off Blinn TEAM?
A: Not necessarily. The TEAM rules state that you need to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at each school by the end of the program (not each semester). However, students have been removed from TEAM in the past for falling too far behind academically to catch up before the program ends.
Q: What are the possible repercussions of dropping a course?
A: There are numerous possible things to consider:
• You will not receive a refund this late into the semester.
• You may need to attend summer school to get back on track for completing the TEAM admission or transfer admission requirements.
• Dropping to zero (0) hours is actually a “withdrawal,” and you would lose all student services for the remainder of the semester. These include: dorm residence, bus service, athletic tickets, and Student Recreation Center access
• If you drop below 12 total hours you will no longer be a “full-time student.” (See “General Information” above.)
Q: How will a dropped course appear on my transcript?
A: A course dropped at Blinn will appear on your transcript as a grade of “Q.” Grades of “Q” will not affect your GPA.
Q: Is it usually better to Q-drop a course if I will receive a grade of “D” or “F”?
A: You should drop a course if you’re sure you will receive an “F,” and it’s often wise to drop a course if you will receive a “D”. However, always consult an advisor first! Grades of “D” in some subjects that are not crucial to your specific major may be good enough.
Q: An upperclassman suggested that I save my Q-drops for the more difficult courses I will take as a junior and senior. Is this good advice?
A: Not necessarily. It is important to make good grades from the start. Using a Q-drop as a freshman can prevent serious damage to your academic standing since you have not yet established a GPA. As an upperclassman your study techniques will be well developed and your cumulative GPA will be well established; a low grade will not affect your standing nearly as much as it would for a freshman or sophomore. One of the biggest mistakes freshmen make is to NOT drop a course if they are doing poorly. By the way, there is nothing wrong with making an occasional “C.” It is often a poor decision to drop a course if you can make a “C.” Consult your academic advisor.
Q: If I drop a course will I have to repeat that course?
A: If the dropped course is absolutely required for your intended major you will have to repeat it. Sometimes students may choose from among several options, so you might not have to retake the same course you drop. If your choice of major changes you might not have to repeat the course. Always consult your academic advisor before repeating a course.
If you’re unsure what to do regarding a possible drop, please consult an academic advisor before the drop deadline. There are usually long waits to meet with advisors on the deadline day.
blinnteam 