Late Drop/Permission to Drop (PTD) or File Pass/No Pass

Policy

The College of Letters and Science requires that approval for a late drop or Passed/Not Passed option after the deadline be granted only if unexpected circumstances beyond your control occur after the deadline. Late drops or Passed/Not Passed grading will not be approved for poor academic performance, change of interest, unavailability of graded work, lack of midterm result or lack of need for a grade in the class. Timeliness is crucial.  Your chance of approval diminishes the longer you wait. The following are the acceptable reasons and required documentation:

Reason: Increase in Work Hours 
Required Documentation: On letterhead, signed by employer. 

Reason: Medical 
Required Documentation: On letterhead, recommendation from the Student Health and Counseling Center. ​​​​​​​(Note: Documentation regarding Covid-19 must apply to your immediate household).

Reason: Serious Personal Problem 
Required Documentation: On letterhead, recommendation from a mental health professional. 

Reason: Death in Family 
Required Documentation: Appropriate documentation required. 

Reason: Other 
Required Documentation: Specific supporting documentation. 

*Please note: You must be in good academic standing (grades/GPA) to opt for P/NP grading in a letter-graded course.

 

Requesting a Late Action

Meeting with an Academic Advisor in our office is required to initiate a late action petition. Please schedule the next available appointment or visit Express Advising. Approval is not guaranteed. Each request is considered individually in light of the student's entire academic record and the specific circumstances provided.

If eligible, an advisor will initiate a late action petition in OASIS and provide an appropriate deadline for submission.

Important notes:

  • The petition requires you to provide your personal statement and upload documentation you have to support your request.
  • All petitions must be submitted by the deadline provided.
  • Petitions will not be accepted after 4:00pm on the last day of instruction. See dates and deadlines on the Office of the University Registrar's website: https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/calendar/quarter
Caution: Submitting fraudulent documentation is a violation of the Academic Code of Conduct and will result in a referral to the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs. Additionally, attempts to late drop a course that has been reported, is pending review or has been reviewed by OSSJA will be reported.

Instructions

Full instructions for filling the Late Drop and Late P/NP petitions can be found in the form instructions. Below are important details students should note.

Late Drop with Permission to Drop (PTD)

If your late drop petition is approved, you will be issued a Permission to Drop (PTD) number for the course. You can view your PTD number on the approved form in OASIS under "Forms & Petitions/Submitted Forms". You will also receive an automated message via your MyUCDavis Message Center with a link to your form.

It is your responsibility to log on to Schedule Builder to enter the PTD number and drop the course. In Schedule builder, take the following steps to drop a course.

  • Select "Actions" for the course to be dropped.
  • Select "Drop with PTD".
  • Enter the 9-digit PTD number.
  • Check and confirm course was dropped.

Important Notes:

  • A PTD number is only valid for 72 hours after it is issued and will be revoked once it expires.
    • PTD numbers issued within the last three days of instruction must be used by 11:59 pm on the last day of instruction.
  • You will be assessed (billed) a $3.00 Late Drop fee for each course.
  • Financial Aid recipients: Check with the Financial Aid Office prior to dropping a class. Dropping a class may affect your eligibility for financial aid in the current or future quarters.
  • International Students: Consult with Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) prior to dropping a class to fully understand any impact on visa or immigration status.
Late Passed/Not Passed

If your late P/NP petition is approved, it will be automatically routed to the Office of the University Registrar to be processed. No further action is required.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am repeating a course after taking it for a letter grade. Can I take it P/NP?
  • No.
  • Can I change from P/NP back to a letter grade during the quarter?
  • You can opt for P/NP grading in a course, or revert back to letter grading, up until the P/NP deadline. After the deadline your grade mode option cannot be changed.
  • Will taking a class P/NP impact my Academic Standing?
  • P/NP grades are not factored into the term or cumulative GPA calculations. To be in good academic (GPA) standing, you must maintain a 2.00 GPA (per term and overall) in all remaining letter graded courses. 
  • Will taking a class P/NP impact minimum progress?
  • Course completed with a P will yield units toward minimum progress. However, receiving a NP could drop you below the minimum progress average needed to remain in good standing for academic progress.
  • What factors should I consider before electing to take a course P/NP?
  • Important factors to consider include:

    Taking a course P/NP could have important implications for future graduate school admissions. Graduate schools may have prerequisites that require letter grading. If you have applied or are applying to a graduate program, please check with that program for information on how P/NP grading may affect your application.

    Receiving a NP may affect the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation, which determines your eligibility for future financial aid. A NP may also impact your time to graduation.

    Veterans who receive financial assistance may have a strong motivation to take classes for a letter grade, as the receipt of a grade such as a “NP” can retroactively impact financial aid. Some branches of the armed forces require that students maintain a 2.0 or higher, or make progress toward degree completion; the P/NP option may hinder the ability to maintain this threshold. These are complex issues and students should consult closely with their advisors or the Veterans Success Center.

  • Can I change the grade mode after the quarter has ended?
  • Petitions for a retroactive grade mode change are reviewed by the Grade Change Committee in the Office of the University Registrar. NOTE: if you repeated a course that you had previously taken for a letter grade you cannot elect to change the grade mode to P/NP for the repeat. Additional information can be found on the Office of the University Registrar’s website. If you have questions, please check with an advisor in the Undergraduate Education and Advising Office.