BG college students. Quick question.

[Heavencloud]

Hi bg,

I just completed a course in Biochemistry at my university and received a 93.71%, which was deemed an A- by my professor.

The syllabus states "The following final scores guarantee, at the minimum, the indicated grades: 90-100%: A or A-; 80-89%: B+, B or B-; 65-79%: C+ or C. In addition, an average greater than 55% is absolutely required to obtain a grade of C- or better, and an average greater than 50% is absolutely required for a grade of D or better. "

There is no statement that gives where the A will be cut off, so I was wondering if anyone had experience arguing something like this. I have NEVER had a class where the A/A- line was not defined, and it has ALWAYS been either a 92/93 for every class that I have taken.

Do you think I have a case for arguing to higher powers than the professor? The prof basically told me to go fuck myself - he says that he doesn't need a reason, he just assigns grades to how he sees fit. He randomly stated that most people in "his business" assign an A at 94%, which I think is complete bullshit, especially for a class like Biochemistry.

Thoughts?

[Demosthenes11]

Doesn't matter. Not worth the fight. Move on. The difference will mean 0 to you in a few years and will have no impact on your life. Some prof's are just dicks. Smoke a bowl and go out.

[Jaybar]

You have no case. Just because other professors made the line somewhere else doesn't grant you leverage.

[ZarakiKujata]

Dude, its an A- in Biochem, take it and move on lol, no program/job you apply for is going to care. Also professor's a dick and has it so obscure so he can practice favoritism to a degree.

[Heavencloud]

You have no case. Just because other professors made the line somewhere else doesn't grant you leverage.

What's the point of a syllabus if it doesn't give you a clear idea of what you need to do to get a certain grade in the class?

[Demosthenes11]

What's the point of a syllabus if it doesn't give you a clear idea of what you need to do to get a certain grade in the class?

prof's aren't there to teach. First lesson of college.

[Jaybar]

Because some professors fucking suck.

[Skjie]

Doesn't matter. Not worth the fight. Move on. The difference will mean 0 to you in a few years and will have no impact on your life. Some prof's are just dicks. Smoke a bowl and go out.

This. Grades don't mean shit outside of school.

[Heavencloud]

Dude, its an A- in Biochem, take it and move on lol, no program/job you apply for is going to care. Also professor's a dick and has it so obscure so he can practice favoritism to a degree.

I didn't mention it but this was my biggest problem with the whole deal. My friend scored 3.6% worse than me in the class (he got a 76 on an exam I got an 88 on, and he got a 78 on one I got an 85 on) and he somehow pulled an A-. The class only had 4 tests worth 20% of your grade each, so that's a fair chunk. It just bothers me, lol.

[Heavencloud]

This. Grades don't mean shit outside of school.

When it counts 3x towards your GPA for med school, it kinda does (GPA 3x for junior year). I mean, an A- in biochem will never be seen as poor, but an A is better, lol.

[Skjie]

Man, I've seen profs straight up throw out tests without looking at them and giving people grades based on how they felt about them. If you are that messed up on not getting a A on 93%, you really should quit now.

[Heavencloud]

Man, I've seen profs straight up throw out tests without looking at them and giving people grades based on how they felt about them. If you are that messed up on not getting a A on 93%, you really should quit now.

I guess I've just had good teachers in the past, and by good I mean have a legible syllabus, not actual teaching wise. Maybe I should just count my blessings lol.

Reminds me we need a Spring grade thread :O

[Avelain]

I know exactly how you feel, been in this situation plenty of times. To a certain extent it's not even about the A-, it's about being short-changed what you've earned and what you know you deserve. And that sucks in any life situation, not just college.


Might as well just go try and ask him about it, couldn't hurt. Don't even try to argue, just get him to explain your grade in detail. That seems fair.

[Skjie]

Might as well just go try and ask him about it, couldn't hurt. Don't even try to argue, just get him to explain your grade in detail. That seems fair.

Yes it can. Annoy some profs and it'll haunt you for the rest of your time at that school. If you're really desperate for the extra grade, ask the prof if there is any extra assignment or whatever you could do for the extra % grade to bump you up or something.

[tyven]

94 was cut off where i went to school but a 93.7 would have been a 94 so idk wtf. A- is good work, you should be feeling good about yourself, broham

[Demosthenes11]

ask if there is "anything" you could do to make him reconsider

[Restrat]

You don't really have a case. I've been in (science) classes where 70% was an A, and ones where I got an 95% and got an A-. Each professor is free to do what they see fit. The way I read it, that syllabus states that those are the minimum scores for those grades. The prof probably has to adjust them upwards (or not) depending on how well the class does, to keep things balanced out.

[Jaybar]

There are probably plenty of students in your class that will kill you if you complain, so be careful.

[Talus]

No medical school is going to give a shit if you got an A- in biochemistry. You may have some explaining to do if you got lower than a B- in prereqs like physics/organic chem/etc. If your transcript mainly has A's on it, you're fine, seriously... whether they're A's or A-'s.

Is your cumulative GPA over 3.5/3.6? Is your MCAT over 30/31? Do you have decent extracurriculars and clinical exposure/experience? If so, don't fucking worry, it won't be the A- in biochem that keeps you out of medical school.

[Xajii]

Best you can do is e-mail the prof. and ask what his grounds were for the decision. I did that and got my - into an A. But the caveat here is that I was whining because I needed to maintain a certain GPA to keep a huge scholarship and I was very close to being below that cut off.