Asking a professor to change a grade-- GPA issue

<p>Well, it is hard to believe that I have found myself in this situation. Essentially I took two summer courses, one of them which was 3 credits and I received an A (4 points x 3 credit hours= 12 points), the other which was 1 credit and I initially received a B+ (3.3 points). I explained to the professor by e-mail that the B+ affected my GPA (it is amazing how one credit can so drastically affect your GPA...) and dropped me under a 3.7 which is the required minimum for me to apply for a scholarship to continue my studies in graduate school.</p>

<p>Luckily he agreed to change my grade (he is actually not a professor, he was simply teaching a course because he worked in the field now that he is retired) to an A-....</p>

<p>He had said that he originally based the entire grade on one thing- the final test grade, for which I got 13/15 questions correct, but I also got the bonus correct which meant I got 14/15, which equals to a 93%, meaning that I very well could get an A, which would raise my GPA to a 3.7.</p>

<p>He said initially that he would raise my grade to an A- because of "other factors", such as participation. He was very understanding of my situation and wished me luck. After this grade change, my cumulative GPA now stands at a 3.69.</p>

<p>My question is, would it be extremely inappropriate to e-mail him again and ask for another grade change, particularly in lieu of the fact that I did receive a 93% in the course? He has already changed my grade and yet I am .01 points under. As I said, it is incredible how a one credit class can have so much impact on a cumulative GPA.</p>

<p>What should I do at this point?</p>

<p>Take out a loan and deal with it. I don’t think it would be appropriate at all to ask him to change your grade yet again.</p>

<p>Geez, what is it lately with all the people thinking they’re entitled to a higher grade than they earned?</p>

<p>Yes, it would be very inappropriate to ask for yet another grade change unless a 93% equals a solid “A” at your school and not an A-.</p>

<p>The fact that you earned a grade which is too low is your problem, and not the teacher’s. You are really lucky the teacher changed it once. I am a teacher, and I certainly would never change a grade just because a student needed a high GPA. Of course anyone can make an error, and that should be the only reason to change a grade. You really must have been very convincing the first time! Don’t push your luck.</p>

<p>All right. I suppose my first post was not clear and I apologize for the confusion that has seemed to be prevalent by those who replied.</p>

<p>Essentially I ended up with the wrong grade in the first place-- that being a B+. Since I received credit for the bonus question, I received a 93% on the exam, and therefore the class. I did not realize this when I sent my original e-mail and when I explained to him the situation about a possible scholarship. When I was told my test grade, he had already changed my grade to an A-. At my university, it is up to the professor to distinguish what merits an A or A-. From professors I have worked with in the past, anything above a 93 is an A. 90-93% is A-. </p>

<p>Now to address those of you who think I should “move on” or that I have been “pushing my luck” I think is rather inappropriate. I am sure if you were asking a question here on this forum you would hope for a bit more respectful replies. Given the current situation in which my original grade was incorrect, I was simply asking if I should e-mail the individual who taught the class (someone I might add who is not a professor and is also someone I am on very good terms with) for clarification. That is why I began a thread on this board to ask this question and see if anyone could offer any substantive and constructive advice, rather than blunt criticism.</p>

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<p>This is CC. A year on here, you should know the type of responses to expect.</p>

<p>In any event, asking him to change your grade certainly wouldn’t put you in a worse position than you are now, but on the flip side, you run the risk of offending him and having an irritated professor (should you choose to take another of his classes - however, I’ll assume since the scholarship is for grad school, you won’t have this concern?) is never a good thing.
If you are on good terms with him, then explain your situation and try to ask in the least offensive way possible. Avoid stepping on toes at all costs. I think since this is for a scholarship and not just for ego reasons, that asking him for the change wouldn’t be too out there. You should stress that it’s for a much needed scholarship, though.</p>

<p>Tell you what OP, e-mail him and make your case as to why he should change your letter grade from A- to A. If you’re on good terms with him as you claim, you should have a better than 50-50 chance. Be sure to play up the scholarship angle and how you’re only 0.01 away from the min GPA to qualify. As Plattsburgh noted, be careful in your wording so you don’t insult/offend him or step on any toes. Good luck and let us know what happens.</p>

<p>So basically, if you don’t get the answer you want, the answer is inappropriate?</p>

<p>Once again, based on what I have read on this forum, I am sure if many of you were in my position you would e-mail to inquire if anything could be done. Being .01 points off is very discouraging and I simply asked if it would be a good idea to inquire with him, as I originally stated. That is simply what I had attempted to do. To be accused as some of the things on this thread is amusing to me, particularly in lieu of the fact that I have never been in this position before and have always had strong relationships with my professors and in no way have taken advantage of them as some of you suggest. </p>

<p>Since nearly all of you were very keen in discouraging my attempt to simply inquire into my grade (despite cbr27 and PlattsburghLoser-- I appreciate your advice), I decided to e-mail the professor to simply clarify the questions I had remaining. I am pleased to report that everything has worked out and I am now satisfied with the response that I received from him.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time.</p>

<p>maybe you should’ve studied harder</p>

<p>just a thought.</p>

<p>Yes, it would be rude and inappropriate to do so. I’d imagine whoever is giving you a scholarship has either a probation period or an appeal process.</p>

<p>That being said, you don’t have much to lose by asking him to change your grade again except the knowing in your heart that you cheated the system and got a grade you didn’t deserve. It’s certainly not his responsibility to make sure you get a 3.7 cumulative and the chances of being successful are pretty slim since you really don’t have a good reason for the slip up.</p>

<p>I would send him another e-mail.</p>

<p>What is the worse that happens? He doesn’t change your grade, or he takes it back to the B+? Either way, you still wouldn’t have the 3.7.</p>