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As fourth week and midterms begin, students say they anxiously await their test results and begin to think about dropping a class. But now there are increased consequences for waiting too long to make a decision.

In an attempt to restrict the number of late drops, the UCLA College1 has adopted a new drop policy this year, which limits students to three late drops in weeks 8 to 10 during their college careers.

There are no changes to the drop policy for weeks 1 through 4, but now dropping a class between weeks 5 and 7 has different consequences than dropping a class between weeks 8 and 10.

In weeks 5 to 7, students can now drop classes on URSA and do not need an instructors’ signature. There is still a $20 fee and transcript notation.

Weeks 8 to 10 now have a “restrictive late drop,” and students may only drop during this period three times in their college careers.

“It is a bittersweet deal,” Maria Covarrubias, a fourth-year English student, said. “It is bad for those who need the opportunity (to drop), but it helps students focus on classes more and save their drops for when they really need it.”

The large number students dropping classes during 10th week prompted the administration to enact the new drop policy, according to Daily Bruin archives.

The old policy allowed students to drop unlimited classes during weeks 5 to 10 with the instructor’s signature, a $20 fee and a transcript notation.

Covarrubias said she has used the late drop policy before because “things happen that you can’t control.”

This year students start out with a clean slate, so dropped classes in previous years do not count toward the maximum of three.

Lauri Mattenson, a writing programs professor, said she is in favor of the new policy because she believes the decision to stay in a class should not be based on grades.

“Students often drop a class after receiving a grade they don’t like. Their motivation to stay should be based on what they might learn rather than just the grade,” she said. “It’s better to drop right away; otherwise, students should make a commitment to remain in the class.”

There is still a transcript notation and new $35 fee during weeks 8 to 10.

Liz Franco, a second-year undeclared student, said she was alarmed by the new procedure.

“It forces students to make quick decisions about classes, which could harm them,” she said.

Franco dropped a class during first week, and immediately upon hearing about the new drop policy, went online to see if she would be charged for the drop.

“I feel like I am forced to drop a class really quick because I don’t want to be charged for dropping a class,” she said.

Jessica Patton, an Academic Advancement Program staff counselor, said she had not dealt with the new policy yet because there are no changes to the drop process until the fifth week.

“I think it’s probably a good policy,” she said, “It’s a way to get students to make decisions earlier.”

In order to not receive a transcript notation, students must drop a class before Friday of fourth week. There is a $5 fee.

1CORRECTION: This sentence was changed to clarify that the policy discussed is only for courses in the UCLA College.