HES - grade distributions?

[lizzo76]

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Hi - I am currently taking some science prereqs at the Harvard Extension School, to meet requirements for OT masters programs. Right now I'm in Human Anatomy & Physiology I, which has a weekly 20-point quiz, 2 midterms, and a final. I'm averaging above 19/20 on each quiz, and expect to end up with somewhere between 90%-95%, straight score, based on quizzes, exams, and labs. I REALLY want to get an A, not an A-, in this class. I graduated from college over 10 years ago, (have a recent masters degree, but it's non-science) and I would really like to get a letter of recommendation from this prof, but she has a policy of only giving them out to students who receive an A in both classes in the two-semester sequence.

Does anyone have any sense of the grade distributions in HES science classes in general, A&P in particular? I think I'm doing well, but it's hard to know what will get an A. The syllabus just says it's the same requirements as for the A-, but with "extraordinary distinction." Would that be top 10%? Top 5%?

Thanks!!!

 

[KiwiBruin]

Did you try asking the teacher? That might be the best if you haven't since she grades you and all. You can even ask her some questions about the material while you are talking with her at office hours and build a close rapport which would benefit your letters of rec.

 

[lizzo76]

We took our midterm Monday, and I am hoping that when we get our grades back, she'll give us the distribution. In my experience, some profs will do this, and others will not.

I know there's been a LOT of interest in the Harvard Extension School on here, so I was hoping that in advance of that (we don't have another class for almost 2 weeks because of Columbus Day) someone here might know something. Like... has anyone taken the Anatomy & Physiology class, and if so, what was your final score (%-wise) and what letter grade was assigned? And does anyone have any insight in general into the distribution of science grades at HES? Harvard publishes grade distributions each year, but I don't think HES is counted in that and I have been unable to find stats specifically for HES. A lot of people here are in the Health Careers Program there and have taken at least a few classes, so I was hoping they might have some info..

P.S. I am almost 34 and have another masters degree. So I know to talk to the prof about things. 🙂 Just hoping to get some info. ASAP.

 

[Moki]

If you keep your grades in that range, you will be fine with her (translation = get an A). She has that language on the syllabus because the extension admin suggests it. Don't worry.

 

[lizzo76]

Thanks! I suppose with over 220 people in the class she needs to whittle down the group for whom she'll writes LORs... I would just be frustrated to do exceptionally well all year but for some reason only get an A- in one of the classes and not be able to get an LOR even though I did well. I graduated from college over 10 years ago, and even though I received my masters degree only 3 years ago, I'm really up a creek when it comes to any LOR that can speak to my current abilities in any kind of science area.

 

[Moki]

Volunteering is another good way to get letters of rec.

Wrt the HES courses, get to know the TFs. They can help facilitate and augment recs with particular info about you. As you pointed out, it is hard for a prof of 220 students to make the recs all that personal.

Good luck.

 

[lizzo76]

Thanks for the tip about the TFs... good idea. I will be volunteering at a hospital - had my interview and just need final placement now - and I am counting on that for one LOR. But, I will need at least one (maybe two, depending on the program) good academic reference and would like one to be science-related.