Overview

Dropping a class in Course Search & Enroll is very easy. However, dropping a class after the semester begins could have significant impacts on your academic plan, your status as a full-time student, financial aid, and more. You are always encouraged to talk with your advisor before dropping.

See below for step-by-step instructions as well as information about drop deadlines, when your UW–Madison transcript may show a dropped class, and more.

Note the policy changing the deadline to the Monday of the 13th week of instruction, starting in Fall 2024.

To drop an enrolled class and add one from your cart in one action, see Course Search & Enroll - Swapping a Class.

Step-by-Step

1. In Course Search & Enroll, go to the “My Courses” tab.
   
   
2. In the Enrolled list, select the checkbox for the class you wish to drop.
   
   
3. Select the DROP button that appears above the class.
   
   
   
   
4. In the pop-up window, select the Drop coursebutton.
   
   
   
   
5. The dropped class should now appear under the Dropped list.
   
   

Drop deadlines

When you drop a class causes different impacts on your student record.

Find the right dates for your enrolled classes in the info section of your course section. In the information, select “Session Dates & Deadlines.” A pop-up will list all dates and deadlines for the course. All deadlines are by 11:59 pm CT that day.

The session dates table shows drop deadlines for all sessions in a term.

For regular session drop and tuition adjustment deadlines, see the Dates & Deadlines page.

• Before the Drop/Withdraw without Transcript Notation Deadline

  You are free to drop a class on your own up to the “DR/W Transcript Notation Date” listed for that class. Follow the steps described above to drop a class.
  Your transcript will not show any record for this class.

• Between the DR/W Transcript Notation and Drop Class Deadline

  Up to the "Drop Class Deadline", you can still drop the class on your own. Follow the steps described above to drop a class.
  Your transcript will include a record for this class with a “DR” instead of a grade, simply noting that you took this course and dropped it. The “DR” does not affect your grade-point average or have negative implications.

• After the Drop Class Deadline

  When the “Drop Class Deadline” has passed, you cannot drop the class on your own. A request to drop this class must be approved by your academic dean’s office.
  Your transcript will include a record for this class with a “DR” instead of a grade, simply noting that you took this course and dropped it. The “DR” does not affect your grade-point average or have negative implications.