Undergraduate Advising

One-Time Exception (OTE) and Q Drops 

If you missed the regular deadline, you may still be eligible to request a late Q drop or full withdrawal through One-Time Exception (OTE) until December 7th.  

• Eligibility: You must not have already utilized your OTE earlier in your academic career. 

• How to Apply: 

• Submit your OTE request online via the OTE Q Drop Request Link. 

• For a full withdrawal (dropping all classes), email CNSinfo@austin.utexas.edu. 

• Advising: No advisor meeting is required before submitting your request, but you may reach out if you have questions. 

Important Notes on Q Drops: 

• Q Drop Details: 

• A Q drop does not affect your GPA (you will see a "Q" on your transcript instead of a grade). 

• Up to 6 Q drops are allowed during your time at UT. The OTE Q drop counts as one of your six. 

• Requests are processed immediately and cannot be rescinded. It may appear on your Canvas page and schedule for a couple of days after you submit your request. However, once you submit your request, you can stop going to class. 

• Advising Considerations: 

• Your advisor may need to review your request if dropping will put you below 12 hours or if it's your graduating semester. 

• Lecture/lab combos may require both to be dropped. Contact your academic advisor for more details. 

For Pre-Health Professions Students: 

• Check the Health Professions Office (HPO) website for FAQs, including advice on whether to Q drop a course. They also offer virtual drop-ins to discuss your decision before submitting your request. 

• See the Grade Requirements & Health Professions Considerations section of our website for tips for pre-health professions students, minimum grade requirements, and CNS non-academic resources. 

Pass/Fail: 

• Eligibility Requirements: 

• 30 credit hours completed (excluding current coursework). 

• A D- or above earns credit (CR), but F counts in GPA. 

• A Pass/Fail course does NOT fulfill specific degree requirements (e.g., Core, Flags, Major, Minor, Certificate). 

• Note: If the course is a prerequisite, it must be retaken for a letter grade. 

Withdrawal Information 

• A withdrawal means dropping all courses for this semester. All students wishing to withdraw must also have a brief appointment with a CNS Non-academic Coordinator to finalize the withdrawal. Schedule your appointment here. 

Additional Considerations 

• International Students: may verify they are eligible to drop by contacting International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at hotline@austin.utexas.edu  

• Financial Aid, Scholarships, Veteran Benefits, NCAA Eligibility, or Visa Status: Contact the appropriate office before submitting any request. Texas One Stop is a great resource for guidance. 

Key Reminders: 

• Finality of Requests: All Q drop and pass/fail requests are final and cannot be rescinded. Be sure to understand the academic impact before submitting your request. 

• Advising Resources: If you have questions, reach out to your academic advisor to ensure you're making an informed decision. 

Over Maximum Hours Request for Fall 2026 

If you wish to register for more than 17 credit hours in Fall 2026, you must submit an Over Maximum Hours Request. 

• Eligibility: 

• Must have a 2.5+ GPA. 

• Must have completed 14-15 credit hours in a recent semester. 

• Approval is at the discretion of your academic advisor. 

• Submission Timeline: 

• Requests are processed the business day before the semester begins. 

• Graduating seniors in their final semester can request approval before or during registration. 

• Over Maximum Hours Request Form: Submit Over Maximum Hours Request Here 

Time Conflict Override 

If you need to add a class with a time conflict: 

1. Obtain permission from both instructors via email. 

2. Forward both emails to your academic advisor, including: 

1. Your EID. 

2. Course details (course # and unique #). 

• Note: Time conflict overrides are processed only for PBH, H E, NTR, HDF, and TXA courses. 

For additional resources, including grade requirements, health professions tips, and CNS Non-Academic Coordinator resources, please visit the CNS Policies & Non-Academic Resources page.