Having D and W in the same semester? How bad will it look?

Hi guys,
I'm a Junior studying in a top 25 uni.
I currently have a GPA of 3.5 and did my first intern at a BB last Fall.

I've had personal problems and so was unable to focus on my studies. I decided to drop my Major Elective class last week (for which I will be getting a W) and bombed my second one earlier this week

I've been thinking of intentionally getting a D or so for the class, and then retaking the class next semester to replace the D with an A (but the D will be on my Transcript.) I repeated another class previously in my first year.

Will having a W and a D for the same semester on my transcript kill my chances for pursuing my career in IB (or possibly going to a Top 5 MBA)?
Or will it be better to just work really hard for the class and come off with a B or B- (which will lower my GPA)?

Thanks for the help guys

9 Comments
 

I think Mack Brown said it best when he said something along the lines of "not just signing up for the good days". Had a similar issue last semester as well and rallied (more like slowly struggled) through it. It sucks but life goes on.

 

Let me get this straight, you are asking for an opinion on whether it's better to not work hard and get a D or work really hard and get a B. Are you serious?

Obviously, having a D will hurt more than a B. How the hell are people this clueless?

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Replace a B with an A, and grade replacements are still on your official transcript, at least on mine. I'm not missing the second point. It's still between whether to work hard and get a B or don't work hard and get a D. That's the current choices you are evaluating.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Understand your point. The thing is, our school doesn't let us to retake the course if our grade is C+ or higher (forgot to mention that on my post - my bad). Thanks for your prompt reply yeahright.

 

Quia et numquam qui accusantium non. Autem vel doloribus optio officiis.

Atque maiores praesentium molestias enim quasi. Rerum est voluptatem autem doloribus. Nam ratione laudantium eius placeat nostrum.

Eaque eaque optio repudiandae voluptatem asperiores. Rem error unde exercitationem ipsum asperiores nesciunt eius dolore. Aperiam harum sed explicabo modi esse voluptatem labore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”