How to ask for final exemption

[altamont850]

I'm headed towards the end of my semester and I wonder if any SDN'ers had advice on asking a professor for a final exam exemption. I've pretty much earned a B in this class and I'd rather not take a final exam(Calculus). How should I approach my professor?

In addition, is it better to do a BS/MD program or stay in school a little loner, build your stats and apply to the best school possible?

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[wholeheartedly]

Unless there's a policy already in place that your prof. has mentioned and there's no way your final exam could lower your grade (or raise it) or a drop your lowest exam that could include the final, you are going to be taking that final.

 

[altamont850]

Unless there's a policy already in place that your prof. has mentioned and there's no way your final exam could lower your grade (or raise it) or a drop your lowest exam that could include the final, you are going to be taking that final.

That's not what I asked; obviously my professor will dictate what will happen. I asked what is the best method to approach my professor about my request.

 

[Sophocles]

That's not what I asked; obviously my professor will dictate what will happen. I asked what is the best method to approach my professor about my request.

He answered your question, I just don't think that you understood it.

 

[Gut Shot]

I'm headed towards the end of my semester and I wonder if any SDN'ers had advice on asking a professor for a final exam exemption. I've pretty much earned a B in this class and I'd rather not take a final exam(Calculus). How should I approach my professor?

Start by walking into his/her office with a sign on your chest that says "I am an entitled pain in the ass."

 

[altamont850]

Start by walking into his/her office with a sign on your chest that says "I am an entitled pain in the ass."

It's you guys who don't understand. The way I see it, if I have a mid to high "B" at the moment and I am exempted from the final, wouldn't that mean less work for the professor? I've already demonstrated that I've mastered the material. Why is everyone on SDN so conformational? Just because you disagree with what I'm doing, why must I be attacked personally? In addition, I'm kicking ass in the courses which actually matter for medical school (Chem, Bio, etc) so the way I see it , Calculus is simply a roadblock which I'm ready to pass.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I've been in the academic world for a rather long time and been a TA for awhile as well. We're not attacking you. What we're trying to do is spare you from walking in to a situation where you're only going to wind up making yourself look bad. I've heard plenty of "can you believe a student tried x" stories from profs. This is likely to be one unless it's an exceptionally rare professor.

It's one thing if the prof has already mentioned it was an option, but if he hasn't and you walk in there and make that request it's not likely to end well. No attacking, just a reality check. You're getting defensive because we're disagreeing with you. I've had professors waive the final and I don't have anything against that in an of itself. It's just that in those cases it was the professors idea. But you go ahead and try it and let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Lucky Louie]

so the way I see it , Calculus is simply a roadblock which I'm ready to pass.

But you're seeing this all wrong. To this professor, this class is the most important one in your schedule. It's not a roadblock to him/her. You express how you "really" feel to the professor, then maybe that B cushion you're sitting on changes to a B-. just saying.

Unless the professor already stated that anyone can be exempt from a final, looks like you'll need something more substantial than, "a B is okay, Professor Roadblock."

 

[Doctor Strange]

Having a B in the class is hardly "mastering the material." Maybe if you had an A+ in the class, then this would be somewhat of a founded request (though still quite far-fetched), but a final is just another exam to test your knowledge; no one should be exempt. Besides, if you (for some miracle of the all-mighty Jeebus) do get exempted, think of the precedent that would set; things would be out of control.

 

[NickNaylor]

It's you guys who don't understand. The way I see it, if I have a mid to high "B" at the moment and I am exempted from the final, wouldn't that mean less work for the professor? I've already demonstrated that I've mastered the material. Why is everyone on SDN so conformational? Just because you disagree with what I'm doing, why must I be attacked personally? In addition, I'm kicking ass in the courses which actually matter for medical school (Chem, Bio, etc) so the way I see it , Calculus is simply a roadblock which I'm ready to pass.

Lol, the entitled and self-righteous tone dripping from your post is obnoxious. You should work on that. Just because something makes sense to you and seems right to you doesn't mean that everyone shares the same view. If you do this, the prof will likely be pissed because you obviously don't give a damn about his course.

Your best bet is to ask to reschedule and simply not study if you really, really want to do something. You should probably just get over it though and suck it up.

(sent from my phone)

 

[ChartaBona]

Having a B in the class is hardly "mastering the material." Maybe if you had an A+ in the class, then this would be somewhat of a founded request (though still quite far-fetched), but a final is just another exam to test your knowledge; no one should be exempt. Besides, if you (for some miracle of the all-mighty Jeebus) do get exempted, think of the precedent that would set; things would be out of control.

This.

Where I went, people only got exemptions if:

a) It was the (incredibly nice) professor's idea
b) You had an A average (no A+ at my school)

If you truly mastered the material, the final would be the time to boost that mediocre grade of yours. Yes a "B" is a mediocre grade when it comes to applying to medical school. Why wouldn't you jump on the opportunity to turn that B into a B+ with the final?

 

[Sophocles]

This.

Where I went, people only got exemptions if:

a) It was the (incredibly nice) professor's idea
b) You had an A average (no A+ at my school)

If you truly mastered the material, the final would be the time to boost that mediocre grade of yours. Yes a "B" is a mediocre grade when it comes to applying to medical school. Why wouldn't you jump on the opportunity to turn that B into a B+ with the final?

+1
I think the OP stated that they had a high B average (didn't reread the post), but if this was the case, you could potentially get your grade to an A which is definitely worth it.

I concur with the above poster. You are looking at this all wrong. Instead of looking at it as another hurdle to jump through, look at it as an opportunity to strengthen your application by adding another A to your transcripts. I would be happy about it instead of trying to get out of it.

 

[altamont850]

You guys are self righteous to the point of being obnoxious. I've done a lot of work this semester and I simply am very tired. Why should I take a final if I've already learned the material to satisfaction? I'm not looking for perfection.

 

[SpacemanSpifff]

You guys are self righteous to the point of being obnoxious. I've done a lot of work this semester and I simply am very tired. Why should I take a final if I've already learned the material to satisfaction? I'm not looking for perfection.

The OP has a very good point. What's the use in taking a final covering material that she/he has already learned to satisfaction?

I think the best way to ask for an exemption would be to explain to your professor what you have clearly demonstrated above: you are not an intellectually curious person, you do not care about doing the best you can, and you do not think the material s/he loves is worth your time. If nothing else, really emphasize that last point. Good luck!

 

[altamont850]

You guys are so obnoxious. What the hell does calculus have to do with being a good doctor or even a good medical student? I've worked my ass off but math is the bane of my existence; math is the main reason why I chose a chemistry major rather than physics.

 

[NickNaylor]

You guys are so obnoxious. What the hell does calculus have to do with being a good doctor or even a good medical student? I've worked my ass off but math is the bane of my existence; math is the main reason why I chose a chemistry major rather than physics.

You're going to be quite unhappy as you progress through your training and realize that 90% of what you do and learn has little to nothing to do with being a physician.

(sent from my phone)

 

[BABSstudent]

In addition, I'm kicking ass in the courses which actually matter for medical school (Chem, Bio, etc) so the way I see it , Calculus is simply a roadblock which I'm ready to pass.

If you are "kicking ass" in chem and bio, why not ask to skip those finals instead of the one you have a B in? That makes more sense. However, if your school is like mine, there are no final exemptions unless the professor states it in the syllabus or he/she cancels the final.



Sent from my iPod using SDN Mobile app. Please excuse the typos.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

You guys are so obnoxious. What the hell does calculus have to do with being a good doctor or even a good medical student?

Are you a freshman in your first semester? You obviously have no idea how college works. If you think everyone is wrong, just go ask the professor. Understand though that he will likely say you have to take it and it will simultaneously put a target on your back so any mistake you made will be amplified. Not to mention he will likely tell his professor friends and you will be remembered later. You really should work on being so entitled. Sure you have a B, but why should you get special treatment from a professor that knows you don't give a crap about his class. Just think about if that makes sense.

 

[Anathema]

I'm gonna laugh so hard when you fail your final and get a C in your course. Mastered my ass. If you got a B in calculus you haven't mastered the material. Your attitude is horrible and you're not going anywhere in life with it. Good luck asking your professor.

 

[altamont850]

If you are "kicking ass" in chem and bio, why not ask to skip those finals instead of the one you have a B in? That makes more sense. However, if your school is like mine, there are no final exemptions unless the professor states it in the syllabus or he/she cancels the final.



Sent from my iPod using SDN Mobile app. Please excuse the typos.

I've already been exempted from my other finals.

 

[NickNaylor]

I've already been exempted from my other finals.

At this point I'm pretty sure you're trolling, so good luck and godspeed.

 

[SpacemanSpifff]

You guys are so obnoxious. What the hell does calculus have to do with being a good doctor or even a good medical student? I've worked my ass off but math is the bane of my existence; math is the main reason why I chose a chemistry major rather than physics.

Sarcasm aside, I honestly have no idea how you could ask a professor for an exemption from a final without coming off as incredibly entitled and lazy (ignoring extenuating circumstances involving illness or some other personally traumatic event).

I've already been exempted from my other finals.

If this is true, I think you should use the same tactic you used previously. How did you manage to get exemption from a final? I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Anathema]

I've already been exempted from my other finals.

So you want an exemption on the MCAT too since you're doing so well in everything right? How about an exemption from the application process. How about an exemption from seeing a patient because it tires you out so.

 

[altamont850]

I'm gonna laugh so hard when you fail your final and get a C in your course. Mastered my ass. If you got a B in calculus you haven't mastered the material. Your attitude is horrible and you're not going anywhere in life with it. Good luck asking your professor.

Why the heck would I need to know calculus inside and out? I'm not a physics or math major and I'm simply taking this course in preparation for an application. I'm physically and mentally tired and at this point, I'm ready to take the grade I have. This professor is notoriously hard and earning a B is quite difficult (averages on our tests were F's).

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've already been exempted from my other finals.

On what grounds? Are there exemption rules in those classes? Or did you use that charm of yours to ask for exemptions?

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[Anathema]

Why the heck would I need to know calculus inside and out? I'm not a physics or math major and I'm simply taking this course in preparation for an application. I'm physically and mentally tired and at this point, I'm ready to take the grade I have. This professor is notoriously hard and earning a B is quite difficult (averages on our tests were F's).

Do you know how many grades have been turned around by the final. Find another profession if you're too lazy to finish the work. Everyone here is tired but we know we're not special.

 

[altamont850]

On what grounds? Are there exemption rules in those classes? Or did you use that charm of yours to ask for exemptions?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

Like I said before, I've done well. Why does everyone have a smart-ass remark? I'm not lazy, I've worked quite hard this semester and I've had extenuating circumstances. Why does a premed have to always strive for perfection? I've done quite well given recent events in my life.

 

[Anathema]

Like I said before, I've done well. Why does everyone have a smart-ass remark? I'm not lazy, I've worked quite hard this semester and I've had extenuating circumstances. Why does a premed have to always strive for perfection? I've done quite well given recent events in my life.

You failed to mentioned extenuating circumstances. Its odd those event extended across several semesters and that your professors haven't postponed your finals instead of cancelling them.

 

[altamont850]

You failed to mentioned extenuating circumstances. Its odd those event extended across several semesters and that your professors haven't postponed your finals instead of cancelling them.

What is wrong with you?

 

[Anathema]

What is wrong with you?

You've mentioned how you get along with your professors and you've been exempted in the past. Obviously none of us have the experiences that you have so I don't know what type of response you're looking for.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Like I said before, I've done well. Why does everyone have a smart-ass remark? I'm not lazy, I've worked quite hard this semester and I've had extenuating circumstances. Why does a premed have to always strive for perfection? I've done quite well given recent events in my life.

no one is saying that you didn't work hard. the fact is, final exemption at every college in the nation is an exception, not the rule. If a class allows you to skip the final, chalk it up as a win. if it doesn't, be thankful that your other classes allowed you to not take the final and move on. sorry but professors don't need to accommodate students for any reason and usually don't.

 

[wpierce118]

You've mentioned how you get along with your professors and you've been exempted in the past. Obviously none of us have the experiences that you have so I don't know what type of response you're looking for.

Why would he ask how to get a final exemption if he already has gotten them from all his other teachers? I smell troll.

 

[twizzlers713]

Why would he ask how to get a final exemption if he already has gotten them from all his other teachers? I smell troll.

i was getting ready to say this. got 'em

 

[unhappytnt]

The way I see it, if I have a mid to high "B" at the moment and I am exempted from the final, wouldn't that mean less work for the professor? I've already demonstrated that I've mastered the material.

👍

 

[Geebeejay]

I'm headed towards the end of my semester and I wonder if any SDN'ers had advice on asking a professor for a final exam exemption. I've pretty much earned a B in this class and I'd rather not take a final exam(Calculus). How should I approach my professor?

In addition, is it better to do a BS/MD program or stay in school a little loner, build your stats and apply to the best school possible?

You guys are so obnoxious. What the hell does calculus have to do with being a good doctor or even a good medical student? I've worked my ass off but math is the bane of my existence; math is the main reason why I chose a chemistry major rather than physics.

Sorry to break it to you, but no matter how you approach your professor, there is NO WAY he will buy into this "final exemption". Sure, maybe an A won't help you much...maybe get you a B+. But what about a C, D, <F on the final? It will certainly affect your grade. I only received one of these "exemptions" when i was in college and it was because my grade was so high that I would need <50 for it to even change my grade from an A to an A-. And the professor approached me!

The people "attacking" you are right, and you should really try to learn from what they are saying. Don't you think everyone in your class would "rather not take the final"? Don't you think math is also the "bane" of some other students existance? Why are you so special that you deserve a final exemption over the rest of your hard working classmates? Furthermore calculus is a pre-req to most med schools, like it or not, and that makes it important.

 

[circulus vitios]

I made a 100% on the first quiz so it's obvious that I'm capable of learning and mastering the material. How do I ask for quiz, exam, midterm, and final exemption?

 

[elevenses]

FYI, you'll need to know calculus pretty well for p-chem, if you are actually a chem major. I'm pretty sure the Schrodinger equation has derivatives and stuff.

If your school is smart, they'll make you take differential equations before or during second semester p-chem. If you hate math so much, maybe you should go for a non-science major.

 

[Dmr6186]

Not sure why people are taking this person seriously. Let it do whatever it pleases. It's not like this is a real situation anyway. "I hate math but I'm a chem major"? Uhh, what?

And if it is, wow. But that's what keeps me coming back to sdn!

 

[SpecterGT260]

That's not what I asked; obviously my professor will dictate what will happen. I asked what is the best method to approach my professor about my request.

So.... you just don't wanna take it? That is usually not a valid reason

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[SpecterGT260]

Not sure why people are taking this person seriously. Let it do whatever it pleases. It's not like this is a real situation anyway. "I hate math but I'm a chem major"? Uhh, what?

And if it is, wow. But that's what keeps me coming back to sdn!

Freshman say the darndest things

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[NickNaylor]

Freshman say the darndest things

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Hey man, I'm destroying gen chem and gen bio, I'm the next DeBakey.

(sent from my phone)

 

[Dmr6186]

Hey man, I'm destroying gen chem and gen bio, I'm the next DeBakey.

(sent from my phone)

Don't people know that it's necessary when you are working as a doctor to know that nucleotide A binds to G and C... No wait. G binds to T and U binds... Crap. Ah man I guess I'm taking the final for bio 🙁

 

[NickNaylor]

Don't people know that it's necessary to know that nucleotide A binds to G and C... No wait. G binds to T and U binds... Crap. Ah man I guess I'm taking the final for bio 🙁

Yup, knowledge like this is critical to the everyday practice of medicine.

 

[Freesia88]

The mind boggles.....

 

[SpecterGT260]

Yup, knowledge like this is critical to the everyday practice of medicine.

But if you can't draw the structure of each off the top of your head you can only do FM

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[Gut Shot]

Don't people know that it's necessary when you are working as a doctor to know that nucleotide A binds to G and C... No wait. G binds to T and U binds... Crap. Ah man I guess I'm taking the final for bio 🙁

The letters C and G are similar in appearance, so they make a nice pair.

That leaves A binding to T.

T and U are next to each other in the alphabet, so they are easy to interchange when going from DNA to RNA.

Don't laugh, this is how I get through life.

 

[Bovie21]

You need calculus for p.chem.

 

[SpecterGT260]

The letters C and G are similar in appearance, so they make a nice pair.

That leaves A binding to T.

T and U are next to each other in the alphabet, so they are easy to interchange when going from DNA to RNA.

Don't laugh, this is how I get through life.

I don't think he was actually struggling with it

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[Gut Shot]

Yup, knowledge like this is critical to the everyday practice of medicine.

It probably will be within our lifetimes. DNA and RNA-based assays are now very routine for analysis of tumors and infectious agents. And that's just the beginning. The cost of whole-genome sequencing has plummeted, which is going to bring with it many years of exploring personalized medicine.

I hate to break it to everyone, but the foundational concepts you are learning in biology are necessary to understand more advanced material. The fact that you will eventually take this knowledge for granted does not mean it is superfluous.

 

[Gut Shot]

I don't think he was actually struggling with it

Better safe than sorry.