Whoops – I missed the drop...

Hi there First Years! Can you believe it's almost March? That means that the drop deadline has come and gone (we said our farewells on Tuesday) and we're one baby step closer to spring break and the midpoint of the semester. We understand that that drop deadline may have snuck up on some of you (we would encourage you to keep an eye on the 411, this blog, and the Instagram to make sure you've got those dates down), and as a result still have a class you would like to drop, post-deadline.

This is a little trickier than dropping before the deadline, but bear with us – you might still be in luck.

If you reached out to your advisor before the deadline and have a documented interaction (like an email) from on or before February 20th, you can go ahead and fill out the Petition to the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing (CPAS), which can be found here or – you guessed it – on Slate. Just upload any of the needed documentation and the process should be underway. Be sure to get in touch with us if you have any questions during that process, however you are not required to meet with the Dean if you talked with your advisor before the deadline.

If you did not talk to your advisor about dropping a class before the deadline, you will have to meet with the Dean. You can find Dean Garay's available times at her youcanbookme or you can come see a Dean during emergency hours, Monday-Thursday 3:30-4:30. Do not submit the petition without speaking with a Dean. This circumstance is harder to petition, given that the CPAS has a pre-existing list of circumstances that do not qualify you for dropping a class after the deadline. The list is as follows:

1. Not needing or wanting a class
2. Not doing well in a class
3. Not knowing the deadline or procedure for changing your schedule
4. Forgetting to make an intended change
5. Not knowing your grade by the deadline
6. Having too heavy a course load
7. Wishing to improve your GPA

Please keep that in mind as you move forward with your drop petition. Additionally, remember that if you are unable to drop, the deadline to withdraw from or p/d/f a class is Thursday, March 21st. 

Regardless of whether you spoke with your advisor before the deadline, be sure to upload all supporting documentation when you submit the petition as you cannot go back to add that later.

I know this may seem like a daunting task, but it happens to students every single semester, and CPAS (as well as the Deans' Office!) is here to help you. Take a deep breath – it will be okay! And as always, don't hesitate to reach out to the First Year email (first-year@barnard.edu) or stop by Milbank 105 with any questions.