Making the Right Choice: Navigating the Winter Term Voluntary Withdrawal Deadline

The Voluntary Withdrawal (VW) deadline for Winter Term courses is March 19, 2025.

Deciding to withdraw from a course can be challenging. Whether you’re considering a change in your academic path or facing personal difficulties that affect your studies, it’s important to understand your options and the potential impact of your decision.

Before You Withdraw

1. Talk to Your Instructor
   Discuss your concerns with your course instructor. They may have strategies to help you improve before the term ends.
2. Consult Your Academic Advisor
   Meet with your academic advisor to review your course load, study strategies, and options for retaking the course in the future.
3. Know the Requirements
   Be aware of course load requirements and the implications of a VW. If you have a government student loan, are a sponsored student, a Bison athlete, or are in another situation that requires a minimum course load, this is especially important.
4. Check Your Program Requirements
   Refer to the First Year Planning Guide or the Academic Calendar to understand where this course fits into your intended or current program.
5. Consider Prerequisites
   Verify if this course is a prerequisite for upper-level courses in your program.
6. Look at Future Offerings
   Check current and previous Summer Term schedules to see if the course will be offered again this year.

Important Notes on VW and Your Student Record

• No refund will be issued for a course withdrawn via VW.
• VW’d courses will be recorded on official transcripts and student records with a final grade of VW.
• Courses cannot be withdrawn after the VW deadline has passed.

For information visit the important dates and deadlines page.

UM REGISTRAR’S OFFICE