Like all students studying at UT Austin, you are permitted to Q-drop a class or multiple classes if you follow University Procedures and get the necessary signatures on the Q-drop form. The deadline to Q-drop a class for the fall 2016 semester is November 1 for undergraduate students & December 5 for graduate and law students. All deadlines for dropping, withdrawing, and changing the grading basis of your courses can be found in the academic calendar.
Be aware that F-1 and J-1 students must be enrolled full-time (ex: 12 credit hours for undergraduate students/9 credit hours for graduate students) throughout the whole long-semester to maintain your immigration status. If you wish to Q-drop a class and the result of dropping the class means you will go below full-time status for immigration purposes, you will be in violation of your immigration status.
Furthermore, a One Time Exception may be allowed for undergraduates to drop a class after the Q Drop Deadline. Dropping a class may be permissible with your Deans Office’s approval but could negatively impact your immigration record. If you have any questions or concerns about Q-dropping or the OTE and its affect on your immigration status, please schedule an appointment with an international student advisor in advance of the Q-drop deadline.