Make-up exams and Drop Policy

[polyploidy516]

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Hey all, I would really appreciate your insight on a particular situation. Specifically, as I am currently taking a course, Microbiology, I wasnt able to take the first exam because of sickness (missed all committments that week, including two other exams). As the professor has a drop 1 test policy, I decided to not take this exam as i was too sick to go.

Fast forward to now; I just had a second test and I know i did NOT do well at all (i ran out of time for the exam/was unfamiliar with the format/length).

My question is do you think it would be ethical for me to ask the professor if I could take a make-up for the first exam and have the second test dropped instead as I know I performed poorly? Or if I could ask her to drop this exam and instead weigh my third exam as 2 midterms?

I would have definitely taken the first exam but I was honestly too sick to attend that exam and 2 others that I had that week (both within 2 days of one another). I have a doctor's note and all. I'm just concerned about whether it would be appropriate for me to ask the professor especially since I really need a good grade in the course (i will be applying this upcoming cycle)

thoughts would be really appreciated!

 

[galaxyx]

You're probably just going to have to deal with it now. If you wanted to make up the first one, you probably would have had to do it before the exams were handed back. To take the first one now, the prof would have to make up a completely new exam for you and it would be hard to grade it compared to the rest of the class. What you're asking for is basically unfair to everyone except yourself.

 

[DAPI]

Hey all, I would really appreciate your insight on a particular situation. Specifically, as I am currently taking a course, Microbiology, I wasnt able to take the first exam because of sickness (missed all committments that week, including two other exams). As the professor has a drop 1 test policy, I decided to not take this exam as i was too sick to go.

Fast forward to now; I just had a second test and I know i did NOT do well at all (i ran out of time for the exam/was unfamiliar with the format/length).

My question is do you think it would be ethical for me to ask the professor if I could take a make-up for the first exam and have the second test dropped instead as I know I performed poorly? Or if I could ask her to drop this exam and instead weigh my third exam as 2 midterms?

I would have definitely taken the first exam but I was honestly too sick to attend that exam and 2 others that I had that week (both within 2 days of one another). I have a doctor's note and all. I'm just concerned about whether it would be appropriate for me to ask the professor especially since I really need a good grade in the course (i will be applying this upcoming cycle)

thoughts would be really appreciated!

Probably not going to like what I have to say, but you are SOL.

I don't know if you approached the professor after missing the first exam about a makeup then, or at least seeing the test to know his/her testing style. Only if you did one of these two things then maybe is it okay, but I don't think you are going to come across well.

Best bet would be to take the W if you actually did terrible and there is no way to get a C or better.

 

[Planes2Doc]

As for drop policies, different syllabi may outline different things for them. The only class I have now in medical school that has a drop policy for quizzes clearly outlines that an "excused" absence for a quiz will still count as your drop. I think it's extremely dependent in this case. If it's something a professor can do as a case-by-case basis, then maybe having waited until after the second exam might have destroyed your chances.

 

[polyploidy516]

I had actually spoken to the professor about a makeup for the first exam (I emailed her before stating that I wouldn't be able to take it). She had mentioned that I was not required to take it and that I could take the others..that's why I wanted to ask her..

Do you think it would be okay if I instead asked her if my later exams could be weighed more instead since I didn't deliberately miss the first exam/have all the documentation to prove it?

 

[def1]

You dropped the ball by not preparing properly for the second test even though you knew you needed it to make up for the 1st one. Thats on you, and it doesn't look good to ask for special treatment now.

Unless you completely bombed the test, I think if you ace the third test you should be good.

I mean you're basically asking her to drop two exams, thats ridiculous.

 

[Pattycake25]

If you're that convinced you tanked, you should consider a course withdrawal. One withdrawal will not hurt you in admissions, and I'm sure this kind of situation won't happen again in your academic career.

 

[Pattycake25]

I had actually spoken to the professor about a makeup for the first exam (I emailed her before stating that I wouldn't be able to take it). She had mentioned that I was not required to take it and that I could take the others..that's why I wanted to ask her..

Do you think it would be okay if I instead asked her if my later exams could be weighed more instead since I didn't deliberately miss the first exam/have all the documentation to prove it?

A lot of Hopkins bio courses had this policy. Unfortunately, my professors never really budged on their one-drop-thats-it policy, even though it was unfair for people who had a legitimate reason to miss one test (versus others who adequately prepared for and took EVERY one, knowing the worst would be dropped). I sympathize entirely, but I doubt the professor is going to change her mind. =/

 

[neuro nephrons]

Not an option. Hope for the best and get an A in all other graded material

 

[polyploidy516]

I appreciate your responses; I guess Ill just ask her and hope for the best.

Another reason why I asked is because in the syllabus, the professor states that no make-up exams would be given unless there is a serious illness or crises of that nature. As my situation did qualify for that and as I did inform her prior to the first exam, I hope that the professor will understand even though the second exam has passed. It just sucks because im one of the active students in her discussion sections and am doing very well in that/on the quizzes and have a very good attendance record.

The fact that I was unfamiliar with the test format/timing constraints really affected my performance. I did prepare just like how i wouldve prepared for any other exam (went to the TAs review session, office hours etc). I just hope that she can see that I am a dedicated student and that this exam score was honestly a fluke.

Thank you once again for your suggestions.I would be grateful for any additional suggestions.