How can I (respectfully) ask my professor for a for a few more points?

[livelifexlove]

I'm taking re-taking Chemistry II at a state school near my house. The first time I took it at my regular school, I got a B+, and I just re-took it because I wanted a higher grade in it. The problem is that my regular schools' policy is that they will not transfer the grade, or the credits, if I don't get higher than a B+ (which makes sense, since that is what I got the first time anyways). Right now, my average at the visiting school is 87 (including midterms, finals, etc.), and for an A-, you need a 90. My professor did write on the syllabus that credit will be given for attendance and participation, but that isn't shown on the grade report yet, so I don't even really have an idea if that will boost me up or not.

I spent $900 to take this course (please don't give me the '$900 is cheap compared to other schools!!!11' lecture. I had to pay for it myself and I don't have a job - not easy). If I don't get an A-, I basically paid all that money for nothing, and I won't get the credits, the grade, nor will it go into my home school's GPA.

How can I respectfully ask my teacher to consider giving me a few points?

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[NickNaylor]

You cannot ask this respectfully. Asking for points you didn't earn is pathetic. Accept your grade and suck it up.

 

[The Poet Sings]

you can't ask for more points. you can, however, find errors in their grading and get points you deserved to get in the first place.

 

[Beren]

You cannot ask this respectfully. Asking for points you didn't earn is pathetic. Accept your grade and suck it up.

Cole's right, you can't do this very respectfully... it was a risk you knew you were taking when you signed up for the course, I presume.

That doesn't mean you can't ask. Just have to be able to live it down.

 

[jm192]

Really the only thing you can do is ask how the attendence/participation factor in.

I'd write an e-mail and just ask how it plays into the grade, and maybe just ask if you have any chance at an A.

I don't think the situation makes the professor any more likely to do it though, so I'd save him the story.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I have to agree, it's really hard to ask for THREE percentage points..it's already hard enough to ask for a half point, less along six times that much.

Honestly, why did you even re-take a class for a B+ to begin with?

If you INSIST upon asking the professor, email him requesting to meet in person to discuss your grade.. In that meeting, tell him most of what you told us...your costs, transfer credits, etc. If he's sympathetic to financial constrints, he may help you out. Granted, you didn't really EARN an A- in this course, so that's what makes it tough. If you have some sort of "improvement" then maybe....Then again, he might be like me and think you're ______ for retaking this course to improve your B+. Most would be happy, or in the least, not retake a course over that grade.

In addition, my university policy is course repeats can only be done for C- or below...so consider yourself lucky you could even retake in the first place.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

lol.

You received the same grade and you basically didn't learn anything new. Yet, you still want a grade that reflects something you didn't do, learn something. You want something for nothing. What a perfect example of someone from this generation, generation E (E for entitlement).

"I paid for this class and showed up for class. I deserve an A."

 

[305602]

Was the class much harder the second time around? I'm surprised you couldn't break a B+ on the second try considering that's what you got on the first go-round.
If you don't end up getting the grade bump hopefully you've attained a deeper understanding of the general concepts and retained the information better as far as preparing for the MCAT goes.

 

[orthomyxo]

Is this even serious?? Maybe if you buy your professor some Nike shoes he will give you an A. Man, some premeds

 

[DrBowtie]

Pathetic. Don't be that guy.

Also LOL @ getting a B+ and LOL @ retaking a B+

 

[wanderer]

I sense a troll. Someone should search his post history.

 

[305602]

Is this even serious?? Maybe if you buy your professor some Nike shoes he will give you an A. Man, some premeds

A friend of a friend of mine offered his professor a signed Jahvid Best jersey (the professor was a big Cal fan) in exchange for a higher grade in his class. Sometimes stuff just gets ridiculous haha

 

[LawNonTrad]

you can't ask for more points. you can, however, find errors in their grading and get points you deserved to get in the first place.

But don't mention doing or wanting to do what PoetSings mentioned on SDN or you're likely to get savaged like I did. 🙂

I disagree with Cole, however. The idea that there's no way to ask this respectfully is simply incorrect. There's no harm in asking, while understanding that you aren't entitled to extra points because you've only earned a B+ and also realizing that he probably won't give these extra points to you. But there's nothing wrong with asking for them, and make sure you put this face on when you talk to him:

 

[echolalia16]

Is this even serious?? Maybe if you buy your professor some Nike shoes he will give you an A. Man, some premeds

Wait i feel like this Nike shoes thing is a SDN joke that I recently read, maybe? Or maybe it was years ago, or not at all? You tell me.

 

[planktonelement]

Is this real life?

For future reference, a B+ or two (or more) on your transcript isn't going to kill your chances of getting into med school.

But really, just schedule a meeting with the prof and don't sound too needy about the whole thing.

 

[NickNaylor]

But don't mention doing or wanting to do what PoetSings mentioned on SDN or you're likely to get savaged like I did. 🙂

I disagree with Cole, however. The idea that there's no way to ask this respectfully is simply incorrect. There's no harm in asking, while understanding that you aren't entitled to extra points because you've only earned a B+ and also realizing that he probably won't give these extra points to you. But there's nothing wrong with asking for them, and make sure you put this face on when you talk to him:

No, there's nothing wrong with asking. Unless, of course, you value your pride and honor and respect your professor and the academic system enough to expect only what you earn.

 

[tweek125]

tell him if he doesn't help you pass the class you won't be able to get into med school, and then you'll be doomed to pursue a PhD and become a lowly professor. which would suck. horribly.

 

[LawNonTrad]

No, there's nothing wrong with asking. Unless, of course, you value your pride and honor and respect your professor and the academic system enough to expect only what you earn.

What if his dad died two weeks ago and he could document it? Would you support bumping him up then?

 

[cfx]

I'd say your best bet is to do what The Poet Sings noted--look for any inaccuracies in your previous grade. Then, do everything you can to make sure that your participation/attendance points are as high as they can be.

Other than that, not sure there is anything you can (legally) do.

 

[The Poet Sings]

But don't mention doing or wanting to do what PoetSings mentioned on SDN or you're likely to get savaged like I did. 🙂

i don't understand what you're talking about 😕. please explain (nicely). are you saying you once posted on sdn about getting your grade bumped up due to inaccuracies in the grading, and the posters had a problem with it? that makes no sense, as, if you deserved another grade but they graded it wrong, i don't see why anyone would have a problem with you getting what you should've. so you must mean something else?

 

[cfx]

i don't understand what you're talking about 😕. please explain (nicely). are you saying you once posted on sdn about getting your grade bumped up due to inaccuracies in the grading, and the posters had a problem with it? that makes no sense, as, if you deserved another grade but they graded it wrong, i don't see why anyone would have a problem with you getting what you should've. so you must mean something else?

I believe lawnontrad is referring to this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=752999

Not sure I get the reference, though, because what you suggested doesn't really have anything to do with Lawnontrad's situation.

 

[LawNonTrad]

I believe lawnontrad is referring to this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=752999

Not sure I get the reference, though, because what you suggested doesn't really have anything to do with Lawnontrad's situation.

Ugh lol. I don't want to derail this thread, cfx. I assumed he had seen it. But yes, my situation is basically identical to the one mentioned by the Poet. I'm sorry if you view it as similar to livelifexlove's, but it is not.

Cliffnotes, poet:

One multiple choice question on test I was upset about. Prof gave credit for the correct answer as well as one of the 4 incorrect answers, justifying it by saying that he never mentioned one of the incorrect answers. in class. I argue with him and he agrees that it's unfair to favor one incorrect multiple-choice answer over another and gives everyone in the class who got it wrong the same amount of points. I also pointed out to him that he deducted 2 points off one of my long answer questions because I left something out, but he and the textbook both taught that it's okay to leave it out if you explain why you're doing it, because the answer is implied. He agreed and gave me the 2 points for it. The end.

 

[The Poet Sings]

Ugh lol. I don't want to derail this thread, cfx. I assumed he had seen it. But yes, my situation is basically identical to the one mentioned by the Poet. I'm sorry if you view it as similar to livelifexlove's, but it is not.

Cliffnotes, poet:

One multiple choice question on test I was upset about. Prof gave credit for the correct answer as well as one of the 4 incorrect answers, justifying it by saying that he never mentioned one of the incorrect answers. in class. I argue with him and he agrees that it's unfair to favor one incorrect multiple-choice answer over another and gives everyone in the class who got it wrong the same amount of points. I also pointed out to him that he deducted 2 points off one of my long answer questions because I left something out, but he and the textbook both taught that it's okay to leave it out if you explain why you're doing it, because the answer is implied. He agreed and gave me the 2 points for it. The end.

oh ok thanks for the cliffnotes (are you in your late 20s or older? ppl from my era, in their early 20s, used sparknotes . i only know about cliffnotes bc i have an older sister). ps i'm a she 🙂.

 

[cfx]

Ugh lol. I don't want to derail this thread, cfx. I assumed he had seen it. But yes, my situation is basically identical to the one mentioned by the Poet. I'm sorry if you view it as similar to livelifexlove's, but it is not.

Cliffnotes, poet:

One multiple choice question on test I was upset about. Prof gave credit for the correct answer as well as one of the 4 incorrect answers, justifying it by saying that he never mentioned one of the incorrect answers. in class. I argue with him and he agrees that it's unfair to favor one incorrect multiple-choice answer over another and gives everyone in the class who got it wrong the same amount of points. I also pointed out to him that he deducted 2 points off one of my long answer questions because I left something out, but he and the textbook both taught that it's okay to leave it out if you explain why you're doing it, because the answer is implied. He agreed and gave me the 2 points for it. The end.

I'm really not trying to rag on you over this...I'm glad you got some extra points out of it. However, your situation was not akin to what The Poet Sings was suggesting (well, the second part is, but that's not what people were coming down on you for). TPS was recommending the OP look for errors in their grade (e.g., they got points taken off for something that was arguably right). In your case, you got the question 100% wrong, and there was no error in the grading. You got it incorrect, and there's no arguing that can be done that it was actually correct.

 

[masterwares]

Unfortunately I also received a 78% in my biolab course this Spring...My teacher would not round or curve no matter what. I emailed her a lot asking for how much she curved and if there was anything I could do, but really all I ended up with was a bad reputation... I guess just ask politely and then don't ask after that like I did...

 

[LawNonTrad]

oh ok thanks for the cliffnotes (are you in your late 20s or older? ppl from my era, in their early 20s, used sparknotes . i only know about cliffnotes bc i have an older sister). ps i'm a she 🙂.

Late 20s. I used sparknotes too but I'm so used to the online message board lingo of "cliffs" that I just use that instead." P.S. I'm a she as well. Sorry for being a chauvinist pig. 😛

Cfx:

Not wanting to make an argument out of this, I will simply say again that this would have been a non-issue had the professor chosen the path of least resistance (which would have been to only give credit for the correct answer). But wait, LawNonTrad, you're suggesting that the professor should only have given credit for a correct answer on a multiple choice question? Shocking. 🙂 I thought multiple choice questions were designed to be multiple answer.

According to you, cfx, poet was suggesting that the OP look to regain exam points for something that was arguably right. Well, my professor marked an incorrect answer as correct on the scantron. By definition, that makes my (also) incorrect answer arguably right. The logic is consistent. Even some SDNers agreed with me, although they didn't think that I'd be successful in getting the prof to change his mind.

I'll give you that I went overboard on the unrelated make-up issue, but not on the multiple choice. It was 10x worse because it was completely arbitrary and inconsistent, which is why I'm glad that it's now corrected.

 

[cfx]

Cfx:

Not wanting to make an argument out of this, I will simply say again that this would have been a non-issue had the professor chosen the path of least resistance (which would have been to only give credit for the correct answer). But wait, LawNonTrad, you're suggesting that the professor should only have given credit for a correct answer on a multiple choice question? Shocking. 🙂 I thought multiple choice questions were designed to be multiple answer.

I agree with this. I did not state any opinion regarding who I think should or should not have received credit. I really don't care, it's not my class.

All I wrote was that it was a different situation from what TPS was referring to.

According to you, cfx, poet was suggesting that the OP look to regain exam points for something that was arguably right. Well, my professor marked an incorrect answer as correct on the scantron. By definition, that makes my (also) incorrect answer arguably right. The logic is consistent. Even some SDNers agreed with me, although they didn't think that I'd be successful in getting the prof to change his mind.

I'll give you that I went overboard on the unrelated make-up issue, but not on the multiple choice. It was 10x worse because it was completely arbitrary and inconsistent, which is why I'm glad that it's now corrected.

The question you got wrong was FACTUALLY wrong. Your professor does not determine what is right/wrong in this situation. He does not have the power to change chemistry. Just because some people got points for an incorrect response does not mean they were right, nor does it mean that, by extension, you are right as well. That's silly. Your prof gave them points because of something he neglected to do, not because they were "arguably right". I get your reasoning that if he's going to be awarding points for some incorrect answers, he should give points for all incorrect answers, but this is not what The Poet Sings was suggesting the OP argue for.

 

[Janieve]

At my school, if a student is on the cusp, the teacher asks the lab instructor for his/her opinion on the student's work. If it's consistently good and the student seems to be putting in the effort required, the teacher bumps it up. If not, the grade stays low.

Maybe try to arrange a meeting with your instructor to discuss your final exam. You can go over what you got wrong, maybe find mistakes in grading (and earn extra points), and prove to the instructor that you've been very serious about the course. Then, when participation/other points come into play, he might remember you and bump you up for your dedication.

Or not. I guess all you can do is try your best to find those extra points, and if that doesn't work tell yourself that at least you reviewed the material for the MCAT.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

You retook a B+. What did you think was going to happen?

And no, you can't ask for more points. You EARNED a B+. A 3% boost is a ridiculous amount of points. The only time I asked for more points was when I was 0.25% - or 1 homework point - away from an A, and even then I felt guilty. A 3% increase in your total grade would be like adding 6 points to your final, if it was out of 100 and worth 50% of your grade.

 

[latrala2300]

here are steps you may take, with each step being harder and perhaps more unethical/illegal than the last. please note that you'd do any at your own risk, and all don't necessarily reflect my opinion.

1) quibble over points/mistakes in grading. if you have hundreds of people in your class, this is unlikely to work.
2) tell him your story. say that you'd gladly take a harder final, do research, extra assignments, whatever. basically a subtle way of asking him for extra credit.
3) do step 2, but at a bar (if you're old enough to drink and not socially awkward)
4) find out if your prof makes photocopies of tests. change stuff around. submit for a regrade. after trying #1, prof may be suspicious. if you get caught, you'll probably never go to med school. and if you don't, you probably shouldn't go to med school.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

here are steps you may take, with each step being harder and perhaps more unethical/illegal than the last. please note that you'd do any at your own risk, and all don't necessarily reflect my opinion.

1) quibble over points/mistakes in grading. if you have hundreds of people in your class, this is unlikely to work.
2) tell him your story. say that you'd gladly take a harder final, do research, extra assignments, whatever. basically a subtle way of asking him for extra credit.
3) do step 2, but at a bar (if you're old enough to drink and not socially awkward)
4) find out if your prof makes photocopies of tests. change stuff around. submit for a regrade. after trying #1, prof may be suspicious. if you get caught, you'll probably never go to med school. and if you don't, you probably shouldn't go to med school.

For a moment, I had thought you were seriously condoning number 4...lol.

 

[student1799]

I don't think it would be too terrible to approach the prof and ask if there is some kind of "extra credit project" you can do to help your grade. If he asks why, you can explain about the financial issue.

Ask nicely and politely, and be prepared to accept a refusal gracefully. (If he says no, say you understand, then leave without further comment.)

No way should you comb through your tests looking for stray points. That could easily backfire on you.

 

[chrisoc13]

What if his dad died two weeks ago and he could document it? Would you support bumping him up then?

Only if it doesn't say explicitly in the syllabus "no giving of free points for any reason." If it said that under no circumstances would I be ok with any mercy. Ever. Period. Regardless of what happened.

 

[chrisoc13]

I don't think it would be too terrible to approach the prof and ask if there is some kind of "extra credit project" you can do to help your grade. If he asks why, you can explain about the financial issue.

Ask nicely and politely, and be prepared to accept a refusal gracefully. (If he says no, say you understand, then leave without further comment.)

No way should you comb through your tests looking for stray points. That could easily backfire on you.

This is about the best thing I can think of. Go over your tests and makes sure no errors were made as well. On time a professor marked a whole page wrong on my test that was right. I called it to his attention and he fixed it. No big deal. But if there is nothing like that than just ask if there is extra credit available. If he says no then you are pretty much out of luck. But don't just ask for points, as if there is a way to earn points.

 

[Cramster]

You cannot ask this respectfully. Asking for points you didn't earn is pathetic. Accept your grade and suck it up.

👍

To the OP,

You remind me of this girl in genetics that demanded that our professor bump her up to an A because she "didn't want a B"

Maybe you should have spent a little more time studying like everyone else 🙄

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Imagine explaining your twin B+s in the same class during an interview. That's should be your current concern.

 

[EmersonAnne]

But don't mention doing or wanting to do what PoetSings mentioned on SDN or you're likely to get savaged like I did. 🙂

I disagree with Cole, however. The idea that there's no way to ask this respectfully is simply incorrect. There's no harm in asking, while understanding that you aren't entitled to extra points because you've only earned a B+ and also realizing that he probably won't give these extra points to you. But there's nothing wrong with asking for them, and make sure you put this face on when you talk to him:

Of course there's something wrong with asking for THREE percentage points. There's something called dignity. The OP has none. First of all, it's ridiculous to retake a B+ and I would bet that med school adcoms would say the same. Second, you got the same grade you got before and don't deserve a higher grade. Asking for something you didn't earn just because makes you worse than pathetic.

 

[EmersonAnne]

What if his dad died two weeks ago and he could document it? Would you support bumping him up then?

I wouldn't. If that had really happened, he should have gone to the professor two weeks ago, not wait until grades come out and make excuses.

 

[yamaraja808]

I'm really not trying to rag on you over this...I'm glad you got some extra points out of it. However, your situation was not akin to what The Poet Sings was suggesting (well, the second part is, but that's not what people were coming down on you for). TPS was recommending the OP look for errors in their grade (e.g., they got points taken off for something that was arguably right). In your case, you got the question 100% wrong, and there was no error in the grading. You got it incorrect, and there's no arguing that can be done that it was actually correct.

I am surprised that everyone really believe that every single professor gives their student a fair grade. There will always be a few that don't. I remember a multiple choice test where I had a question wrong but it was actually shown in the book to be correct. My professor had this system of sending in a paper complaint through his teaching assistants (maybe because the class is big, I have no idea?). He looked at it and he still did not give me points for it (oh yes it said the answer explicitly). Point of the story is just do what you need to do to raise your grade (FYI I never begged for points and I don't blame people who do). Majority of the time it is about studying hard and getting a good grade but don't think it is true all the time. If you don't believe me I can tell you some more unfair stories of mine.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I am surprised that everyone really believe that every single professor gives their student a fair grade. There will always be a few that don't. I remember a multiple choice test where I had a question wrong but it was actually shown in the book to be correct. My professor had this system of sending in a paper complaint through his teaching assistants (maybe because the class is big, I have no idea?). He looked at it and he still did not give me points for it (oh yes it said the answer explicitly). Point of the story is just do what you need to do to raise your grade (FYI I never begged for points and I don't blame people who do). Majority of the time it is about studying hard and getting a good grade but don't think it is true all the time. If you don't believe me I can tell you some more unfair stories of mine.

I agree with you completely, but your case is an instance where you know something was not fair. In this case, the OP did not mention at any point anything that indicated his professor was being unfair to him....

The OP was only complaining about spending 900 dollars to retake a class that he will not get credit for because he got a B+, the same grade he got the first time around...

 

[LawNonTrad]

I am surprised that everyone really believe that every single professor gives their student a fair grade. There will always be a few that don't. I remember a multiple choice test where I had a question wrong but it was actually shown in the book to be correct. My professor had this system of sending in a paper complaint through his teaching assistants (maybe because the class is big, I have no idea?). He looked at it and he still did not give me points for it (oh yes it said the answer explicitly). Point of the story is just do what you need to do to raise your grade (FYI I never begged for points and I don't blame people who do). Majority of the time it is about studying hard and getting a good grade but don't think it is true all the time. If you don't believe me I can tell you some more unfair stories of mine.

Thank you! Honestly, if your prof didn't have tenure and he didn't just overlook the paper complaint, then that should have been enough to get him fired. My situation was unfair but the fact that your professor seemingly had the audacity to not give you points for a CORRECT answer on a multiple choice question is just disgusting. No one on SDN can ever defend that and if they attempt to with crap like "Oh the professor knows best, he is a dictator", I advise you to put them on ignore. Kowtowing to professors like that will only make you hate yourself. I hope you appealed this to the academic standards committee or at least the department chair. That crap is inexcusable!

 

[knightstale4]

Imagine explaining your twin B+s in the same class during an interview. That's should be your current concern.

👍

 

[LizzyM]

University: ______________________
To: Professor____________________
From:___________________________

I think my grade in your course,___________________, should be changed from ______ to _______ for the following reasons:

__1. The persons who copied my paper made a higher grade than I did.

__2. The person whose paper I copied made a higher grade than I did.

__3. This course will lower my Grade Point Average and I won't get into:
______Medical School ______Graduate School
______Dental School ______My Fraternity/Sorority
______The Mickey Mouse Club ______Tri County Tech

__4. I have to get an A in this course to balance the F in: _______________.

__5. I'll lose my scholarship.

__6. I'm on a varsity sports team and my tutor couldn't find a copy of your exam.

__7. I didn't come to class and the person whose notes I used did not cover the material asked for on the exam.

__8. I studied the basic principles and the exam wanted every little fact.

__9. I learned all the facts and definitions but your exams asked about general principles.

__10. You are prejudiced against:
____Males
____Jews
____Blacks
____Females
____Catholics
____Whites
____Protestants
____Moslems
____Minorities
____Chicanos
____People
____Students

__11. If I flunk out of school my father will disinherit me or at least cut my allowance.

__12. I was unable to do well in this course because of the following illness:
____mono
____broken baby finger
____acute alcoholism
____pregnancy
____VD
____fatherhood

__13. You told us to be creative but you didn't tell us exactly how you wanted that done.

__14. I was creative and you said I was just shooting the bull.

__15. I don't have a reason; I just want a higher grade.

__16. The lectures were:
____too detailed to pick out important points
____not explained in sufficient detail
____too boring
____all jokes and not enough material
____all of the above

__17. This course was:
____too early, I was not awake.
____at lunchtime, I was hungry
____too late, I was tired

__18. My (dog, cat, gerbil) (ate, wet on, threw up on)my (book, notes, paper) for this course.

__19. Other__________________________________

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

you cannot ask this respectfully. Asking for points you didn't earn is pathetic. Accept your grade and suck it up.

+10000

edit: love the grade change form

 

[huskerdye]

I'm taking re-taking Chemistry II at a state school near my house. The first time I took it at my regular school, I got a B+, and I just re-took it because I wanted a higher grade in it.

I basically paid all that money for nothing, and I won't get the credits, the grade, nor will it go into my home school's GPA.

How can I respectfully ask my teacher to consider giving me a few points?

Dude, be happy with a B+, it's okay.

You basically spent $900 for nothing anyways.

IF YOU TRULY THINK A PROFESSOR IS GOING TO "GIVE" YOU POINTS, YOU BETTER FIND A NEW MAJOR!

 

[Dr2B4Ever]

.

 

[bigbad]

Imagine explaining your twin B+s in the same class during an interview. That's should be your current concern.

OP would your school replace the grade or show them both? If the latter, go to your prof's office and ask him to up your grade and kiss *****. If that doesn't work, cut your losses and get the hell out

 

[orthomyxo]

Wait i feel like this Nike shoes thing is a SDN joke that I recently read, maybe? Or maybe it was years ago, or not at all? You tell me.

Lol it was a recent thread about a prof who asked his student to buy him some Nikes.

Also, LizzyM is awesome.

 

[livelifexlove]

First of all, thank you all SO much for your comments. They really all gave me a good laugh, considering the fact that I actually assumed that I would get some serious answers, but instead I just got smart-mouth comments that were dripping in sarcasm. Did I come to the wrong place? Because I thought this was a forum, where people help other people. Sorry if my question was stupid, but I'm positive that all of you who made comments about how I'm pathetic for asking for points have all asked stupid questions before. Get over it. I've only been in college for a year, I'm sorry if I'm not an expert about how sophisticated a student should be.

The key word in this question was respectfully. Do you all honestly think that there is no professor in the world willing give his/her students a few points? And do you honestly think that every student in every class earns their grade fairly? How about the professors who grade their classes where you can bomb your midterms, but do well on the final and manage to get a good grade in the class? I'm sure there's students who don't care about the midterms, and study for a week for a final, and manage to end the class with a B. Did they earn that grade? No. Did they learn all the material in order to actually pass the course? Probably not. And if you think that it's unfair to be given a few points in an undergraduate course, you're in for a surprise when you get to medical school. People will do whatever it takes to get to the top.

So you guys can continue to talk about holding up your "dignity" and my lack thereof, but if it'll get me an A-, I see no problem in asking the professor nicely. If he says no, then whatever, life goes on. But if there's a chance that I can get that A-, I'll take it. There is no indication for "lack of dignity" on your college transcripts, and I am by no means going to ask this professor for a LOR. So please, someone point out what is wrong with simply asking a professor (from a school that I don't even attend, I might add), because clearly this concept makes no sense to me.

And where in my question did I ask you guys to comment on WHY I took the re-took the course? Why does it even matter? It has nothing to do with my question. I'm definitely not the first person to re-take a B+, and I won't be the last.

All I was looking for is what a few people answered; to explain the situation and ask if there's any make up work or extra credit that I can do. So thank you to the people who actually respectfully answered this question. I hope that you guys are the ones who become future doctors, because it's kind of disgusting to think that all these negative and sarcastic comments coming from people who want to help others.

Go ahead and stand back, knowing you have your "dignity", but if my A- gets me ranked one higher than you, then good luck using the "the person ranked before me is less dignified!" excuse in an interview. We'll see how far that gets you 🙂

tell him if he doesn't help you pass the class you won't be able to get into med school, and then you'll be doomed to pursue a PhD and become a lowly professor. which would suck. horribly.

This actually did make me laugh though, kudos to you!

 

[orthomyxo]

1. Did I come to the wrong place?

2. Do you all honestly think that there is no professor in the world willing give his/her students a few points?

3. And do you honestly think that every student in every class earns their grade fairly?

Go ahead and stand back, knowing you have your "dignity", but if my A- gets me ranked one higher than you, then good luck using the "the person ranked before me is less dignified!" excuse in an interview. We'll see how far that gets you 🙂

1. Apparently.
2. For no good reason other than a premed's plea? Yes.
3. Yes.

I'll stand back knowing that I didn't have to beg my professor to give me some brownie points, which means I earned my A- through my work and my work only. If that gets me ranked one higher than you, feel free to explain how awesome I am to your interviewer. We'll see how far grade grubbing gets you when you need to prove what you learned in your classes on the MCAT. 😎