What Would You Do (And Can They Do This)?

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I am just curious regarding people's opinions of my current situation. I am considering leaving my graduate program at the end of the semester as I have found one that better suits me (ie, does not cause me to be consumed with boredom everyday). The problem I am facing is this: As a first year student, I am required to take a year-long course that ends with a Ph.D. qualifying exam at the conclusion of the second semester. At the end of the semester, I am supposed to receive an Incomplete for the course. The grade is intended to be filled in once I take the exam. I will not be taking the exam. Should I just withdraw and pray that my department does not notice? I do not want to tell my advisor yet as he is not only my boss, but he also teaches one of my courses. I have contacted the Registrar's office who has told me that what the department is doing is actually against academic regulations, but I have no desire to start anything. I simply want out at the end of the semester without an F being given to me for the course. Any advice? I would really appreciate it.

BTW- For people interested, the Registrar's office is suggesting that it is against regulations to give someone an Incomplete for a course unless the student is passing and has encountered extenuating circumstances which prevent completion. The office's view is that the course ends in December and should be given a grade independent of another course. I just added this so that people would understand the thread title more completely (in regards to the department and the way it handles the course). Thanks.

Sounds like you have nothing to worry about, registrar's office is your trump card. Just explain what the registrar's said to whoevers running the program you're enrolled with, they really have no choice but to go with what the registrar's office says.

But they could easily just fail you for the course, if you press the issue.

I do not know if I should just withdraw, or ask for a P at the end of the semester (with the Registrar's office as reason why I should get one). I do not want to upset anyone in the department, which is why I do not want to leave a storm in my wake when I leave. I am very afraid of receiving an F out of spite.

Keep track of all your reports/work and go in for a mid-quarter report/grade and get feedback on what you can do better. Get it in writing, so if they do try to give you an F, you have at least something that shows you were doing a good job.

There is currently no written work required. We simply have to show up and may take notes if we choose. The only work is an exam at the end of the second semester.

Damn, I would still try to get an eval from somebody in writing if you're really worried about a F grade for spite. If it comes to it, you could have to go to the dean and explain the situation, but I would use that as a last resort.
I can see why you're bored with no work. 😀

My biggest concern is that the department does not hand out grades for the course at the end of the semester. Instead, every student receives an incomplete. My incomplete will be turned into an F at the end of the Spring semester, which hardly seems fair as I will no longer be in the course and would have fulfilled my obligations for the first semester. I am lost for what I should do to handle this situation.

sunmoon6689 said:

My biggest concern is that the department does not hand out grades for the course at the end of the semester. Instead, every student receives an incomplete. My incomplete will be turned into an F at the end of the Spring semester, which hardly seems fair as I will no longer be in the course and would have fulfilled my obligations for the first semester. I am lost for what I should do to handle this situation.

Click to expand...

just withdraw now

Why not just take the test and then tell them you quit?

DropkickMurphy said:

Why not just take the test and then tell them you quit?

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...because the exam is not at the end of this term, it's at the end of a term he won't be enrolled for?

_ian:

She- but yes, you are 100% correct. 🙂