A 'W', a low grade, or a second attempt can count differently at every program on your list.
It's worth checking the science repeat policies for the ADN programs you are interested in before taking Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology.
A science "repeat" has a different meaning at every program. Some programs count a W as a repeat. Others only count D and F grades. And if you take a course more than once, some programs use your highest grade, while others may use your first passing grade.
That last difference is the one that surprises people. Say you earn a C in Physiology, retake it, and earn an A. At a program that uses your highest grade, the A is what counts toward your science GPA. At a program that uses your first passing grade, the C is what counts, and the retake does not move your GPA at all.
Withdrawals split the same way. At some programs a W counts as an attempt against a repeat limit. At others it does not count as a repeat, though it can still cost you points in the selection score.
A future W, low grade, or second attempt can be treated differently depending on the program. That can affect your:
Knowing the policy ahead of time gives you a clearer picture of how much one course attempt can matter.
Repeat rules are not always on the main requirements page. Look in the program's application packet or its multi-criteria selection worksheet, which is where a lot of California programs spell out how attempts are scored. If you cannot find it in either place, ask the nursing counselor and ask them to point you to where it is written down.
Before the semester starts, check the repeat policies for the ADN programs on your list. If you are struggling once the course begins, check those policies again before deciding to withdraw or retake the course.
The goal is to know how your programs treat science attempts before you are in a position where you need to make that decision.
Plus weekly tips to help you apply with confidence.