Would appealing this grade be worth the trouble?

[NY_Med]

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Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

 

[Blueprint Med School]

At the end of the day, a 3.95 vs a 4.0 isn't that different, and likely won't make a difference in your application. However, if you received a lower grade than you should have, then it would be worth whatever trouble it is to get it fixed.

 

[Goro]

Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

Waste of time. A 3.95 = 4.0

 

[deleted859689]

I would because I’m neurotic. If not, u gucci.

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

I would jump through the hoops. Never settle for less because of someone else's mistake.

 

[aldol16]

In most cases, I would say no, don't appeal the grade but if the professor did make a mistake, there's no reason for you to have to bear any consequences from it. If you really want to go through the process for peace of mind, go for it. It likely won't affect your GPA much. But you shouldn't settle for being taken advantage of just because it "wouldn't make a difference."

On the other hand, if you're going to be asking that particular professor for a letter of rec, I would think twice.

 

[Doctoscope]

Eh, I mean, you did earn the A. I wouldn't say its neurotic to argue for something you earned, especially in a class that can be a b**** like biochem.

 

[Cornfed101]

I think it depends on how much your time is worth to you. I couldn’t care less about something like this. In medicine you will have to take the blame for things that aren’t your fault. Might be good to get used to.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

How much of work it is? If professor already admitted the mistake then submit the required paperwork. It shouldn't be a lot of work.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Meh. Depends on how much you care. It won’t affect you in applying to med school at all, so don’t worry about that. If it will bother you to know you took a lower grade because of a mistake the prof made, then go for it.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Would going through this appeal process have any impact on your reputation within your program / or any of your letters of recommendation / committee letter?

 

[NY_Med]

Would going through this appeal process have any impact on your reputation within your program / or any of your letters of recommendation / committee letter?

Thanks for all the responses! That is my main concern to be honest.

The prof is a new adjunct and this was her first semester teaching the course (hence the unorganization throughout the semester) and is also not on the pre health committee so directly the appeal would not.

But in order to appeal it, I would have to take the appeal through the pre health committee head, Chemistry department head (also on committee), and the Dean. So I am worried about taking it through them and tarnishing my reputation within the program and possibly hurting my committee letter (But again... neurotic... so it may also not at all lmao).

It sounds like the consensus is that a 3.95=4.00 so I think I may just take the L on it and call it a day. You win this round Biochemistry.

Thanks for all the help again!

 

[DNAJB6]

I would appeal it if you think you are entitled to the higher grade without reservation.

 

[Cornfed101]

But in order to appeal it, I would have to take the appeal through the pre health committee head, Chemistry department head (also on committee), and the Dean. So I am worried about taking it through them and tarnishing my reputation within the program and possibly hurting my committee letter (But again... neurotic... so it may also not at all lmao).

a good committee letter >>>>>>> one A- turned A

 

[DNAJB6]

a good committee letter >>>>>>> one A- turned A

Why would a good faith grade appeal, especially one with merit, be grounds for a negative committee letter assuming the appeal is done respectfully?

 

[Cornfed101]

Why would a good faith grade appeal, especially one with merit, be grounds for a negative committee letter assuming the appeal is done respectfully?

because people are people, and my view would be “why didn’t this student resolve this before?”. It could absolutely cause a negative impression. Just like some of the adcoms on here have a negative view of someone being a perfectionist. You have to play the long game. A 3.95=4.0.

not saying it will be a negative committee letter, but a neutral committee letter is bad too. You want to blow your committee away

 

[Moko]

Why would a good faith grade appeal, especially one with merit, be grounds for a negative committee letter assuming the appeal is done respectfully?

because people are people, and my view would be “why didn’t this student resolve this before?”. It could absolutely cause a negative impression. Just like some of the adcoms on here have a negative view of someone being a perfectionist. You have to play the long game. A 3.95=4.0.

not saying it will be a negative committee letter, but a neutral committee letter is bad too. You want to blow your committee away

While I agree that appealing this grade in good faith may not hurt, it is highly unlikely to help. We're all human and have our own subconscious biases, and this may be the only interaction the OP will have with the letter committee outside of interviews, etc. The potential benefits of pursuing this do not outweigh the potential risks in my opinion, though of course everyone has their own tolerance for risk.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

Did you try talking with professor again? Is it calculation error or marking an answer wrong incorrectly?

 

[NY_Med]

Did you try talking with professor again? Is it calculation error or marking an answer wrong incorrectly?

A Bonus worksheet given with an exam was not supposed to harm our test grades, and she stated that during class. I was the anomaly that it actually brought my test grade down 5%, even though it "brought the class average up". that 5% was the difference in .03% needed to give me the A. The Teacher claims "she said it was a part of the exam" in retrospect, however the entire class agreed she said during class it would not harm our test grades.

That being said there is no empirical evidence to support that she said that during class... other than reaching out to the entire class (Which would all support it). She did not send it in the email, include it in the syllabus, etc. etc. She was really last minute about the whole course and did everything on a whim, so there really is no EASY "evidence based" FIX. This will most likely get blown up, and turn into a war zone imo.

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

A Bonus worksheet given with an exam was not supposed to harm our test grades, and she stated that during class. I was the anomaly that it actually brought my test grade down 5%, even though it "brought the class average up". that 5% was the difference in .03% needed to give me the A. The Teacher claims "she said it was a part of the exam" in retrospect, however the entire class agreed she said during class it would not harm our test grades.

That being said there is no empirical evidence to support that she said that during class... other than reaching out to the entire class (Which would all support it). She did not send it in the email, include it in the syllabus, etc. etc. She was really last minute about the whole course and did everything on a whim, so there really is no EASY "evidence based" FIX. This will most likely get blown up, and turn into a war zone imo.

Rookie mistakes on part of the instructor and unfortunately impacted you, but hopefully it's very minimal for you overall.

 

[KnightDoc]

A Bonus worksheet given with an exam was not supposed to harm our test grades, and she stated that during class. I was the anomaly that it actually brought my test grade down 5%, even though it "brought the class average up". that 5% was the difference in .03% needed to give me the A. The Teacher claims "she said it was a part of the exam" in retrospect, however the entire class agreed she said during class it would not harm our test grades.

That being said there is no empirical evidence to support that she said that during class... other than reaching out to the entire class (Which would all support it). She did not send it in the email, include it in the syllabus, etc. etc. She was really last minute about the whole course and did everything on a whim, so there really is no EASY "evidence based" FIX. This will most likely get blown up, and turn into a war zone imo.

In this case, it's an easy answer, because you will never win a war with an administration. Just thank your lucky stars it's A to A-, because even it was going to a B or a C, you'd still probably lose, one way or the other, if the teacher isn't willing to give in easily.

 

[Goro]

A Bonus worksheet given with an exam was not supposed to harm our test grades, and she stated that during class. I was the anomaly that it actually brought my test grade down 5%, even though it "brought the class average up". that 5% was the difference in .03% needed to give me the A. The Teacher claims "she said it was a part of the exam" in retrospect, however the entire class agreed she said during class it would not harm our test grades.

That being said there is no empirical evidence to support that she said that during class... other than reaching out to the entire class (Which would all support it). She did not send it in the email, include it in the syllabus, etc. etc. She was really last minute about the whole course and did everything on a whim, so there really is no EASY "evidence based" FIX. This will most likely get blown up, and turn into a war zone imo.

If it's not in the syllabus, which is an actual contract between the professor and the class, then her verbal comments mean nothing. Her comments were simply wrong.

 

[deleted969405]

In this case, it's an easy answer, because you will never win a war with an administration. Just thank your lucky stars it's A to A-, because even it was going to a B or a C, you'd still probably lose, one way or the other, if the teacher isn't willing to give in easily.

Agreed. I originally thought that there was an agreement with you and the teacher that you will get the A, but it appears like she is denying it (not surprised). With this scenario, theres no way you would even win. In the eyes of administration:
Teachers word >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dog doo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> student's word >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> premeds word
why do you think perverts get away from repercussions for so long?

That being said, take the L and don't appeal.

 

[NY_Med]

If it's not in the syllabus, which is an actual contract between the professor and the class, then her verbal comments mean nothing. Her comments were simply wrong.

That makes sense! Unfortunately, the syllabus was regurgitated and recycled from the old instructor. So the adjunct had nothing about the bonus worksheet (and most of the assignments and grades over the duration of the semester) even in the class syllabus. She was basically just making up rules as she went. Probably in my best interest to forget that nightmare ever happened anyway.

Thank you everyone for the help!

 

[deleted969405]

That makes sense! Unfortunately, the syllabus was regurgitated and recycled from the old instructor. So the adjunct had nothing about the bonus worksheet (and most of the assignments and grades over the duration of the semester) even in the class syllabus. She was basically just making up rules as she went. Probably in my best interest to forget that nightmare ever happened anyway.

Thank you everyone for the help!

Well, don't forget it.... Leave a review on rate my professor. You get the last laugh there. That's how I get my revenge on dbag professors

 

[Aktak]

Just finished kinda senior year, kinda post-bacc (was finishing up a minor & taking extra classes). I ended with a 3.95:
Microbiology= A
Genetics= A
Sociology= A
Biomechanics= A
Biochemistry= A-

four year breakdown and postbacc is (3.4/3.3/3.85/3.88/3.95) with increasing credit load every year.

In Biochemistry there was an error the professor made in grading an exam. When confronted she said it "would not make a difference" which ended up giving me a 92.76% in the class instead of a 93.16% for the A.

I will have to jump through hoops to appeal it and get the A, so I was just curious if it would even be worth the trouble to try to fight for it? And would make that DRASTIC of a difference having that 4.0 "post-bacc" versus a 3.95? I have the inkling it won't (having read multiple threads), but I'm neurotic so I needed validation haha. Thanks!

For Biochem? Not worth it. Now, if it were something game-changing like, say, Freshwater Ecology...

 

[Sleepingdoc]

If you deserved the A instead of A-, then appeal it because you have earned it.

 

[KnightDoc]

If you deserved the A instead of A-, then appeal it because you have earned it.

Terrible advice -- you are basically advising he should risk losing the war in order to give himself a small shot at winning an unimportant battle.

 

[Kpw101]

Why don’t you just talk to the professor? If she realizes the mistake I’m sure any sane person will help you go through the process to correct it. If she says there’s no mistake, then apologize for the misunderstanding and leave it at that.

Saying this might tarnish your reputation is in my opinion all speculation. A student that performs highly in a course wouldn’t be seen in a negative light if they asked for some clarification about a possible grading error, especially if it’s done respectfully.

 

[Sleepingdoc]

If you deserved the A instead of A-, then appeal it because you have earned it.

If the person deserved it, there is no way that a professor would stop him/her from getting that.. Unless this professor is writing him a letter, there is no reason to be afraid to appeal it.

 

[DNAJB6]

Well, don't forget it.... Leave a review on rate my professor. You get the last laugh there. That's how I get my revenge on dbag professors

I doubt the professor cares.

 

[KnightDoc]

If the person deserved it, there is no way that a professor would stop him/her from getting that.. Unless this professor is writing him a letter, there is no reason to be afraid to appeal it.

Go back and read the entire thread -- it's not that long. There are several reasons not to appeal, and OP is well aware of all of them.