The perception of dropping a class has had a negative image on students, as students feel it makes them a failure.

“At first you don’t want to feel like a failure or you’re not even trying,” said Saisha Smith, an urban learning major.

Smith said that the pressure over dropping classes subsided as she got older.

“Because I’m in my fourth year, I realized there’s no pressure,” Smith said. “If the class isn’t working for you, then just don’t feel like you have to take it.”

Students must drop classes before the first day of the semester to get a full refund, including a $10 for an administrative fee from dropping classes, according to the Cal State LA website.

Those that drop after the start of the semester can receive a pro-rata [proportional] refund based on the date, according to the Cal State LA website.

After week seven of the semester, students will not be eligible to receive a refund. A withdrawal petition request must be filed when withdrawing past the deadline. 

The reasoning for the withdrawal must be considered “serious and compelling” by faculty and administrators, according to the withdrawal petition form.

Aaron Rodriguez, an animation major, has petitioned to drop classes after the deadline three times but has only succeeded once. 

“The attempts didn’t work out because I didn’t do them soon enough,” Rodriguez said. “The withdrawals that I applied for were emergency medical withdrawals. But they had told me that I couldn’t.” 

The procedure for a withdrawal after the deadline includes the following:

• Fill out the petition withdrawal form
• Get approval from the instructor and department chair
• Email the approval to [email protected].
• Check class schedules to make sure the “W” grade was recorded.

“I wouldn’t say [the procedure] was hard, but it was a little bit confusing,” Franciseo Cruz, a transfer student, said. “The petition to withdraw asked for signatures, but you actually don’t need signatures. I just got permission from an email saying yes, you have my permission to drop.”

Winter and spring semesters are coming soon, with important deadlines to remember when dropping classes.

The deadlines have been listed according to emails sent out by the student financial services.

Winter Session

Jan. 3, 2023, is the final day to drop all classes and receive a full refund on tuition, including a $5 processing fee for the Winter Session.

Jan. 9 is the deadline to receive a prorated refund from completely withdrawing.

Spring Session

Jan. 22, 2023, is the final day to drop all classes and receive a full refund in tuition, including a $5 processing fee for the spring session.

Feb. 6 is the deadline to drop classes and receive a partial refund of tuition and fees. 

March 30 is the deadline to receive a prorated refund from completely withdrawing.

More information about dropping or withdrawing from a class is available on the Cal State LA website.