Grade Negotiating

[Perdoc]

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So I was talking to a friend of mine about how I got a B+ in a class and needed just 1% more to get an A- and she told me how professors sometimes will bump up your grade if you go and see them after the exam and explain your situation. I've never tried this but it sounds like it would be helpful if you're very close to a higher letter grade that you think you deserve. Does this happen a lot or only in special cases? Anyone ever do this? If it matters, this is at a Canadian university.

 

[BlueElmo]

So I was talking to a friend of mine about how I got a B+ in a class and needed just 1% more to get an A- and she told me how professors sometimes will bump up your grade if you go and see them after the exam and explain your situation. I've never tried this but it sounds like it would be helpful if you're very close to a higher letter grade that you think you deserve. Does this happen a lot or only in special cases? Anyone ever do this? If it matters, this is at a Canadian university.

I would definitely try it, it can't hurt.

 

[loveoforganic]

Completely up to the professor. Definitely worth giving a shot.

 

[MedicineNutt]

I have before. It made a big difference, even though he didn't agree to it initially, which made me really UPSET!

This was for Organic Chemistry I, where I had a D. He changed it to a C, because I made the case that I came to see him in his office hours (when possible), present at all lectures & labs, and participated in class. But wow, all that for a C!!! Never in my life I worked that hard for it. The class average was an F. He was a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE teacher. His tests were nothing like his lectures.

I did end up retaking the class through a different professor, and earned my A 🙂.

 

[Fiddlergirl]

Go for it. But be prepared to take no for answer.

 

[kia ora]

your "situation"? which is what? that you're a grade-grubbing premed? so you're going to go try to negotiate a 1% increase...professors hate that s***.
in all likelihood, if you were on the border your prof. already considered the issue and decided against it. however, you mentioned that you are at a Canadian uni. Canadians are exceptionally nice, so maybe your prof. will do it

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

Don't count on it. Chances are you aren't the only person in that situation and the prof. isn't going to want to do that for everyone.

 

[lrkoehle]

your "situation"? which is what? that you're a grade-grubbing premed? so you're going to go try to negotiate a 1% increase...professors hate that s***.
in all likelihood, if you were on the border your prof. already considered the issue and decided against it.

I agree. As a TA I had one student try to pull this on me right at the end of the semester, and I lost all respect for her as a student. If I could have, I would have lowered her grade after that. I was really unhappy about it, but she hadn't come to see me outside of lab at all the entire semester. If you really have been trying hard and going to office hours regularly, then you have a better shot. However, if this is the case then your professor likely knows who you are, and as the above poster said he/she already considered it and decided against it. You can try, but keep in mind professors are usually already stressed at the end of the semester with finals, grades, etc. so don't be upset if they aren't happy to have to deal with you on top of everything else.

 

[biomed1010]

Go for it, and i dont understand the point of the Canadian comment at the end. We cant generalize canadian professors, or canadian people as a whole...

You have nothing to lose. Whether or not you did go to his/her office hours, just go and give it a try. Its your last hope of a bump. If it doesnt work, at least you know you gave it a try.

Piece of advice for anyone here: For ALL your classes, no matter how easy some of them are, often go to office hours. This saves you in the end, in cases like these. In additiona, the profs willl most likely write better LORs because they know you.

 

[JJMrK]

Go for it, and i dont understand the point of the Canadian comment at the end. We cant generalize canadian professors, or canadian people as a whole...

You have nothing to lose. Whether or not you did go to his/her office hours, just go and give it a try. Its your last hope of a bump. If it doesnt work, at least you know you gave it a try.

Piece of advice for anyone here: For ALL your classes, no matter how easy some of them are, often go to office hours. This saves you in the end, in cases like these. In additiona, the profs willl most likely write better LORs because they know you.

You have respect to lose. You earn what you get, accept it.

 

[biomed1010]

Respect? Sure.. but its just a professor... you guys will never see each other down the road

 

[Steeler7588]

your "situation"? which is what? that you're a grade-grubbing premed? so you're going to go try to negotiate a 1% increase...professors hate that s***.

Word. You earned what you earned. If the teacher will bump you up, more power to you, but to me it's that sort of behavior that epitomizes the premed stereotype.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'd tend to agree with that. I guess I'd ask anyway, unless I was looking to get a rec from that professor. Either way, asking for a grade is kind of a presumptuous thing to do.

 

[lrkoehle]

Word. You earned what you earned. If the teacher will bump you up, more power to you, but to me it's that sort of behavior that epitomizes the premed stereotype.

👍 I agree completely. It makes most premeds come across like all they care about is getting a grade and doing anything they can to get it without caring about learning the material this professor may be dedicating their life to researching about.

Did you not know you were potentially boarderline early in the semester? That is when you go to your professor and try to see what they suggest you do to bring it up not after everything is said and done. At this point you have your grades, and you should probably stick with it. Don't make the rest of us look bad.

 

[JJMrK]

Respect? Sure.. but its just a professor... you guys will never see each other down the road

It is what it is. If it's not worth it to you, go ahead and ask. I wouldn't do it.

 

[BlueElmo]

I had mine changed, and I'm also having him write me a LOR.

 

[PermanentWaves]

I agree. As a TA I had one student try to pull this on me right at the end of the semester, and I lost all respect for her as a student. If I could have, I would have lowered her grade after that. I was really unhappy about it, but she hadn't come to see me outside of lab at all the entire semester. If you really have been trying hard and going to office hours regularly, then you have a better shot. However, if this is the case then your professor likely knows who you are, and as the above poster said he/she already considered it and decided against it. You can try, but keep in mind professors are usually already stressed at the end of the semester with finals, grades, etc. so don't be upset if they aren't happy to have to deal with you on top of everything else.

Haha, same. As a TA (at a Canadian university), this was exceptionally annoying to deal with. Look, sometimes that's how the grades fall. There are going to be times where you just barely make the cut, and times when you fall short. My supervisor, in particular, REALLY hates dealing with this. He always cites grade-grubbing students as the single worst part about being a professor. Granted, sometimes mistakes are made (i.e. calculation errors) and if your grade makes no sense, then it absolutely warrants investigation. However, simply trying to get your grade bumped so that you can get into the next bracket is usually not going to earn you a lot of sympathy.

That being said, yes, you can take a shot. You don't really have much else to lose (unless you were planning on asking for a LOR, in which case, you have a lot to lose). But, as others have said, just be ready to face a complete lack of sympathy, and the likelihood that your request will fail. My advice: don't beat around the bush - get right to the point. Many profs already consider a grade-grubbing a waste of their time, so try to be considerate of that.

 

[aRnonymous]

It does work, sometimes. In Genetics my professor had mercy and bumped me from a B to an A-. I had done very well throughout the semester and on the final except for one test. We were allowed to have a make-up test right after our final, which I did. I bombed that one even worse than the original. Sent her a nice e-mail explaining the situation and why I didn't think her make-up exam was completely fair, referencing the ridiculous low class average, and it worked 🙂. Linear algebra on the other hand, I was 0.5% off from an A and the professor wouldn't budge, he gave me an A- instead 🙁

 

[aRnonymous]

I agree. As a TA I had one student try to pull this on me right at the end of the semester, and I lost all respect for her as a student. If I could have, I would have lowered her grade after that. I was really unhappy about it, but she hadn't come to see me outside of lab at all the entire semester. If you really have been trying hard and going to office hours regularly, then you have a better shot. However, if this is the case then your professor likely knows who you are, and as the above poster said he/she already considered it and decided against it. You can try, but keep in mind professors are usually already stressed at the end of the semester with finals, grades, etc. so don't be upset if they aren't happy to have to deal with you on top of everything else.

My situation wasn't that I just slacked off an then complained. I did genuinely try and saw my professor at office hours, went to all her extra review sessions, etc. So this poster's advice is very good. If the professor doesn't know who you are, don't even try it, because it shows lack of initiative throughout the semester. You wouldn't believe how far effort goes in the books of professors

 

[0Complications]

Go for it, and i dont understand the point of the Canadian comment at the end. We cant generalize canadian professors, or canadian people as a whole...

You have nothing to lose. Whether or not you did go to his/her office hours, just go and give it a try. Its your last hope of a bump. If it doesnt work, at least you know you gave it a try.

Piece of advice for anyone here: For ALL your classes, no matter how easy some of them are, often go to office hours. This saves you in the end, in cases like these. In additiona, the profs willl most likely write better LORs because they know you.

He/she has a LOR to lose and I agree with the below, respect from both his professor and himself. I hate this kind of stuff. You would lose my respect as a student and I would most likely not write you a LOR unless your "situation" was good (i.e., death in your immediate family, Eviction because you couldn't pay rent... Something bad, In that case I would have more respect for you that you finished out the semester).

You have respect to lose. You earn what you get, accept it.

👍



If I were a professor and some kid asked me for subjective grading I would tell them at the onset that I would be willing to do it, but they would need to bring in all of their exams and quizzes and if I didn't feel that they truely deserved the grade they were given I could also drop their grade. I would make their little punk @sses sign an agreement as well.

I would then base my decision on big picture concept understanding, not memorized regurgitated fact questions.

More than likely if this student was the typical pre-med their grade would be reduced. I'm actually apauled by the lack of material integration and the high reliance on memorization by most premeds. It's a generalization, but I think it typically holds true.

Moral of the story, OP, risk losing respect for yourself. My suggestion would be to remember how the B+ feels next semester when you're trying to decide if you should go out to drink, watch a movie, or study.

 

[0Complications]

It does work, sometimes. In Genetics my professor had mercy and bumped me from a B to an A-. I had done very well throughout the semester and on the final except for one test. We were allowed to have a make-up test right after our final, which I did. I bombed that one even worse than the original. Sent her a nice e-mail explaining the situation and why I didn't think her make-up exam was completely fair, referencing the ridiculous low class average, and it worked 🙂. Linear algebra on the other hand, I was 0.5% off from an A and the professor wouldn't budge, he gave me an A- instead 🙁

Yeah, we don't have any kind of curve in our math dept. on any exams and you get what you get. an 89.9 isn't curved up. It's a B, no questions asked.

 

[rabidpanda13]

.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

If you want to bump up your grade by 1% and maintain your self respect, you should ask your prof to let you look through your final exam. It's quite possible you'll find some grading errors which will add up to 1%.

 

[sarahg]

People do it and it works for some of them. I never have, just like I've never asked for extra credit or an extension on a paper, because I'd feel ridiculous. You earn your grade, sometimes it falls close to another grade. That's too bad. The only situation in which I think it'd be appropriate is if you had some special circumstance that affected your grade -- like you were in the ER the night before one test and did badly because you weren't able to sleep or study.

 

[0Complications]

I did it this morning. I was diagnosed with MS this semester and I had to go explain to one of my teachers why I missed half of his classes and instead of of kicking me out of his office, he understood and is letting me work in his lab over the summer. If I did not have a 100% legitimate reason for bugging my professor about my grade, I would never do it.

I'm sorry about your diagnosis.

This is exactly the kind of self-determination and drive I'm referring to. Much respect. That is a very difficult situation and you showed courage and drive to get through it. Your prof must have definitely seen this as well.

I think people would be well advised to think about this type of situation when they are asking for bonus points because they were "too tired" or "too busy" to study.

My hats off to you ma'am/sir.

 

[Blesbok]

It all depends on the person. We have some rotations that people have gotten an 89.96% and they won't give them an A, but we also have some where they flatout say that final grades are up to the discretion of the professor so that if you work hard and need a little boost to the next grade they will help you out.

 

[Ann Chovie]

So I was talking to a friend of mine about how I got a B+ in a class and needed just 1% more to get an A- and she told me how professors sometimes will bump up your grade if you go and see them after the exam and explain your situation. I've never tried this but it sounds like it would be helpful if you're very close to a higher letter grade that you think you deserve. Does this happen a lot or only in special cases? Anyone ever do this? If it matters, this is at a Canadian university.

You may want to consider the possibility that your professor may turn you in for something that would look much worse on your transcript than a B+!!!

 

[aRnonymous]

You may want to consider the possibility that your professor may turn you in for something that would look much worse on your transcript than a B+!!!

Like what? Academic dishonesty? It's not like he's doing anything. Personally, I don't understand why some people are petrified of standing up to their professors. I did it ALL the time in undergrad and it served me very well. I always voiced the concerns of the class that the rest of the people were simply afraid to bring up. Granted, I always did it in a very respectful and civil way. From my experience the majority of professors are very understanding, even if they don't come across as such initially. Believe it or not, even though I was technically "complaining", this has actually caused my professors to like me much more. I think they enjoy seeing an assertive person who is serious about their course and the material but who isn't going to sit there and whine, but rather go about thing in a sensible way. But hey, that's just my opinion

 

[0Complications]

Like what? Academic dishonesty? It's not like he's doing anything. Personally, I don't understand why some people are petrified of standing up to their professors. I did it ALL the time in undergrad and it served me very well. I always voiced the concerns of the class that the rest of the people were simply afraid to bring up. Granted, I always did it in a very respectful and civil way. From my experience the majority of professors are very understanding, even if they don't come across as such initially. Believe it or not, even though I was technically "complaining", this has actually caused my professors to like me much more. I think they enjoy seeing an assertive person who is serious about their course and the material but who isn't going to sit there and whine, but rather go about thing in a sensible way. But hey, that's just my opinion

This whole post is one giant oxymoron...

 

[sarahg]

You may want to consider the possibility that your professor may turn you in for something that would look much worse on your transcript than a B+!!!

For what? Asking for a better grade isn't cheating or against any rules.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

always ask the professor...most say no...some say yes...its all up to the professor but it's always good if you have supporting reasons stating why you deserve the higher grade....in the end it's all up to luck and the professor

 

[JJMrK]

always ask the professor...most say no...some say yes...its all up to the professor but it's always good if you have supporting reasons stating why you deserve the higher grade....in the end it's all up to luck and the professor

How can you deserve something that by definition, you did not earn?

 

[Ann Chovie]

For what? Asking for a better grade isn't cheating or against any rules.

Are you not cheating your classmates who actually received an A- and are competing for the same seat in medical school?... And, what is it your asking the professor to do - Give you a grade you didn't actually receive?

 

[FIREitUP]

i think it's fair if you offer to do extra credit or help the professor out, not just ask for charity.

 

[redlight]

no offense but it is pretty annoying when professors don't round up..especially if there are no set grading lines in the syllabus (and it is not a curved course)
calc II is the only time i've ever tried to negotiate a grade change. i slipped (3 exams that day, back to back chem calc and bio.. and math was lower priority at that point) on one of the midterms but then proceeded to crush the final with one of the highest scores in the class. i was less than .4% away but the prof wouldnt budge. maybe i should have tried doing it in person or gone over my test to look for unecessary deductions.. meh. i guess 0.3 difference in 4 credits wont be a big deal after 3 years. but it does hurt to know some teachers have 'final forgiveness' while others dont even round up..

 

[capn jazz]

I got an A- in one class when my numerical grade was literally 4 hundredths of a point away from the A cutoff. In that case, it's honestly bull****, because they rounded DOWN when I was close enough to the cut off that a single half a point more on ANYTHING in the course (a lab report, a problem set, a test - and a half point is purely subjective, I could've had an A if a TA was having a better day when they graded my "results" section of one lab report, for God's sake) would have resulted in an A.

 

[halekulani]

Piece of advice for anyone here: For ALL your classes, no matter how easy some of them are, often go to office hours. This saves you in the end, in cases like these. In additiona, the profs willl most likely write better LORs because they know you.

agreed

i got an 88% in a class and still got an A- in the class (strict scale). i'm pretty sure it's because i went to office hours every week.

 

[0Complications]

I got an A- in one class when my numerical grade was literally 4 hundredths of a point away from the A cutoff. In that case, it's honestly bull****, because they rounded DOWN when I was close enough to the cut off that a single half a point more on ANYTHING in the course (a lab report, a problem set, a test - and a half point is purely subjective, I could've had an A if a TA was having a better day when they graded my "results" section of one lab report, for God's sake) would have resulted in an A.

Yeah, this is a tough call. This kind of rigorous grading implies that the professor feels that his exam questions perfectly assess your knowledge of the material, which they couldn't possibly. I think a prof that won't budge in that kind of a situation is a royal d-bag. Teaching/learning aren't his priorities at that point. In this case you should have scoured your exams for something that might help your case.

People always give me **** for this, but if I ever get an exam back with something I don't agree with, I'm the first person in that profs office to discuss it, for exactly the reason you've posted above. Scores are easier to debate when they are seemingly less important than when profs know you're there to argue between an A- and an A. This is where being proactive counts.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Standards are set there for a reason. Some professors might change it, but most probably won't care.

 

[redlight]

Standards are set there for a reason. Some professors might change it, but most probably won't care.

but it stinks when the standards at set retroactively (after all final grades are calculated) and there is great inconsistency in grading scale and leniency between professors teaching the same class even.

 

[redlight]

but it stinks when the standards at set retroactively (after all final grades are calculated) and there is great inconsistency in grading scale and leniency between professors teaching the same class even.

sour grapes 😛 i don't know why i'm even talking about this --> the class was last spring and that prof is no longer teaching here.

 

[premedk]

My advice in try it, try it and try it. If the professor knows you have been working hard, and he/she understands the importance of you getting that A(med school...), the professor may go for it. I have done this before and I worked. I am actually going try and convince my professor to give me the extra point for my Physics grade. The main thing is that that professor should have seen you working hard throughout the semester. But once again, regardless of what anyone else says, you have no reason not to talk to the professor.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

but it stinks when the standards at set retroactively (after all final grades are calculated) and there is great inconsistency in grading scale and leniency between professors teaching the same class even.

sour grapes 😛 i don't know why i'm even talking about this --> the class was last spring and that prof is no longer teaching here.

Yeah, I know what you mean though. During my freshman year, I got so lucky the first two quarters of gen chem, the questions the professor's asked and the way they taught clicked with me. Then Spring quarter came. Didn't do as well. Hate that professor forever.

 

[quiltlady]

A relative of mine is a professor and loathes grade grubbing students. If a student asks to have his exam regraded because he finds a error, the prof offers to regrade the entire exam, not just the one problem. Invariably there are many more points which were generously given than the one which the student perceives to be an error. If such a student later wants a letter of recommendation, the prof writes," XXX was a student in my 221 class. He got a B plus, his rank was 14 in a class of 35." Absolutely no evaluation of potential or positive work. That's what you get for grade-grubbing.

 

[premedk]

A relative of mine is a professor and loathes grade grubbing students. If a student asks to have his exam regraded because he finds a error, the prof offers to regrade the entire exam, not just the one problem. Invariably there are many more points which were generously given than the one which the student perceives to be an error. If such a student later wants a letter of recommendation, the prof writes," XXX was a student in my 221 class. He got a B plus, his rank was 14 in a class of 35." Absolutely no evaluation of potential or positive work. That's what you get for grade-grubbing.

Not trying to start a huge argument, and no offense but that relative for yours seems a bit tough. I also have relatives, and a few family friends(including some at my institution) that are professors. They generally agree they will scale up grades for students that have been coming to class, asking questions, going to office hours, and showing a genuine concern for the class. As far as the recommendations, why would you ever ask a recommendation from a professor that denied your request for a higher grade. It makes no sense, especially considering you probably didn't to too well if you were asking for a grade bump in the first place. So once again, as early as possible(hopefully before grades are final) talk to you professor, and don't ever ask for a reccommendation if the professopr denys your request. And just out of curiosity, post what happened, I'm interested to know. Good Luck!

 

[0Complications]

A relative of mine is a professor and loathes grade grubbing students. If a student asks to have his exam regraded because he finds a error, the prof offers to regrade the entire exam, not just the one problem. Invariably there are many more points which were generously given than the one which the student perceives to be an error. If such a student later wants a letter of recommendation, the prof writes," XXX was a student in my 221 class. He got a B plus, his rank was 14 in a class of 35." Absolutely no evaluation of potential or positive work. That's what you get for grade-grubbing.

The only problem I have with your relatives methods is the LOR. I'm hoping your relative will tell said student that he will not be able to give them a good LOR. Otherwise your relative prof is crossing an ethical line that could adversely affect that student.

 

[bkz]

The only problem I have with your relatives methods is the LOR. I'm hoping your relative will tell said student that he will not be able to give them a good LOR. Otherwise your relative prof is crossing an ethical line that could adversely affect that student.

As much as we wish it weren't, that's not unethical. LORs are also considered an indicator of how accurately you interpret the way other people see you. In other words, a bad LOR might not only reflect badly for what it said, but on the student's judgment.

It really helps to have a friend or relative who is a professor. I know I would have never thought it would be offensive to ask how was I doing grade-wise halfway through the semester. Now I just stick to asking about the material.

ok: asking about a question that was ambiguously graded
not ok: asking for more points at the end for no reason

 

[0Complications]

As much as we wish it weren't, that's not unethical. LORs are also considered an indicator of how accurately you interpret the way other people see you. In other words, a bad LOR might not only reflect badly for what it said, but on the student's judgment.

It really helps to have a friend or relative who is a professor. I know I would have never thought it would be offensive to ask how was I doing grade-wise halfway through the semester. Now I just stick to asking about the material.

ok: asking about a question that was ambiguously graded
not ok: asking for more points at the end for no reason

I completely agree with the last part. I, however, don't completely agree with your LOR statement. I agree that the possible outcome of a student asking x professor if s/he would be willing to write a LOR could be negative, but that's where I stop agreeing with you. If a student asks a professor if they would be willing to write a "strong" LOR and the prof agrees and writes a bad or null LOR, then the prof has crossed ethical boundaries. I suppose I always assume students add the word "Strong" or "Good" to their request, but it makes sense that they don't and might have to suffer the consequences of not asking specifically for a strong letter.

 

[bkz]

If a student asks a professor if they would be willing to write a "strong" LOR and the prof agrees and writes a bad or null LOR, then the prof has crossed ethical boundaries.

Yeah I am with you, it's a little below the belt and I would hate for it to happen to anyone. But I don't see how it's unethical. Most of communication is nonverbal, which is why you should listen to more than the words being said. "Letter of recommendation" is used more often than w/"Letter of evaluation" but they are supposed to be synonymous. Maybe a professor can comment

 

[el aye]

I've only once had a grade changed (from an A- to an A). It wasn't because I argued for it though, it was because two grades on my exams were tallied up incorrectly. If those points didn't get me an A, however, I was ready to make the case that throughout the semester I did really well and it was only the final I messed up on. I screwed up on it partially due to a horrible cough I had and not being able to get to sleep the night before (I got to bed around 5am and the exam was at 8).