As the last dates to withdraw from fall semester classes near, Assistant Registrar Megan Hornbeek cautions students to seek professional advice before doing so.

“Students drop classes for multiple reasons — personal and family emergencies, medical conditions, or not passing a class,” Hornbeek said. “Due to the new Financial Aid policies, I would recommend that students speak with Academic Advising and Financial Aid when considering withdrawing from classes.”

The last day to drop a Fall 2012 16-week class without a refund is Nov. 9, while the last day to drop a Fall 2012 late 8-week class without a refund is Nov. 30.

Psychology major Austin Conway said Hornbeek is offering sound advice which he has used.

“It was a crazy semester for me at the time and I thought about dropping a class. Then I spoke with an adviser and she was really helpful and non-judgmental,” Conway said.

“I went ahead and dropped the class but I received some informative ideas that would help me in the future regarding withdrawing … or not.”

Hornbeek said students should also keep in mind that any classes they withdraw from don’t just disappear.

“When a student withdraws during the withdrawal period, a W is posted on a student’s transcript. So, yes, a withdraw does show up on a transcript,” Hornbeek said.

Conway said she believes in some situations, a W on a transcript is worth it.

“I would rather have the W then a D or an F [that would] drop my GPA,”Conway said.

For more information about withdrawing, visit Academic Advising, located on the first floor of the Main Building, or call 405-682-7535.

To contact Brandon Willis, email sportswriter@occc.edu.