Convincing Your Professor? NEED HELP!

<p>I just calculated my final grade for a social problems course. The professor is quite old, with a large lecture class. I only need 1 point to get an A- in this class (Highest B+ is 88.9%). My current score is 266/300. Although it is a damn easy class, I just didn't do so well on the first two tests. I want to convince him in a way that I can get an upper grade. I think it's better to tell him the reasons I deserve to get an A- in that class. Any suggestions, please?</p>

<p>266/300 is 88.6%. That is pretty close. However, some professors really hate it when you try to make a speech about why your grade should be raised just a little. At the same time, I see where you're coming from. It's a tough call. Does he seem like the type of person that would be nice about it all? I know one of my professors absolutely despises that kind of stuff. And then there are professors who will bump you up anyway because of your good attendence, participation, or something else.</p>

<p>He is a very laid back person. He even swears a bit often (not in a negative way, but as humor). He doesn't take attendance because there are more than 350 students in a single class. I've gotten a 76%(out of 100) on his first test, 71%(out of 100) on the 2nd test, and 100%(out of 40) on the third test. I've also done 20 pts. of extra credit and did superb on the two 30-pt. papers. </p>

<p>btw, do you know any good reasons for raising my grade I can come up with for example to convince him?</p>

<p>Talking to him in any way can help you. It's always good to have a relationship with a professor, especially in a large class. I had an issue with a midterm in my largest class (100 students) and I went and spoke to the professor, told him that I felt I deserved a higher grade, told him I had been to every lecture, and had done all the required reading. He took the exam, and gave it back to me a week later. He had bumped the grade up by 2 letter grades, and told me if I got an A on the final he'd forget about any other grades I'd gotten and give me an A in the course. So, just talk to him, and just make yourself look good!</p>

<p>Do you think it's better to see him face-to-face or send him an email?</p>

<p>cool0215, tell him that despite your shortcomings at the beginning of the semester, you have been adamant about doing much better in the class since then. Tell him that it gave you a good challenge to overcome and that you would like to be recognized for such diligent effort. Also note that you are just letting him know and not trying to beg him into raising the grade. Also may want to add your comments and suggestions (both good and bad ... professors sometimes like sincerity you know!) about the class.</p>

<p>I would see him in his office, or call, maybe see if there's a good time to come in and speak to him. It's best to see him face to face though, because then you're a face, not a number.</p>

<p>Try to bribe your professor. May be give him some gift or put 100$ check in his mail box with your name on it! Good luck! he he</p>

<p>Face to face.</p>

<p>lol, that is awful...considering he's an old guy. Now, if he were like one of the grad student teachers that we have around here..hmm, now that's a possibility!</p>

<p>I wouldn't ask. It's possible he'll give you the higher grade anyway, since it's so close. If he doesn't, then he's computing your grade the way he told you he would at the start of the semester, which is fair.</p>

<p>Will it really make so much difference to your future if you do get a B+?
Just resolve to work harder in your next course and it will balance out in your average.</p>

<p>I am not a professor but do teach at the college level and , personally, that kind of nitpicking gets on my nerves. I can see it more at the high school level where you are competing for college admissions. But grad school admisssions are not so numbers driven. Depends more on profs wiritng good recs for you in your field.</p>

<p>I agree with the first part of pyewacket's post.</p>

<p>Firstly, you are NOT "that close." I think he's being lenient enough by making an 89 an A-. If can't meet that, you simply do not deserve a A-. As it is, your current grade includes "extra credit," which I simply don't understand. Who gets extra credit projects in collge? Asking for a benefit beyond this extra credit is a bit much. </p>

<p>Secondly, you were in the C range on your first two exams (even though you consider the class easy) and now you expect to walk away with an A-? From what I can understand, without the extra credit, you earned an 82, which is a B-. I don't see how this would be fair for those who actually did well on the exams.</p>

<p>He may very well bump up your grade if you talk to him (and I know professors that are that way), but him doing so only reflects poorly on both of you. IMHO, you should take what you earned and he should grade you in the manner he promised to grade you at the beginning of the semester.</p>

<p>When I taught college, you were the type of student whom I was very irritated by. Your professor also has cut you a break by allowing you to raise your grade with extra credit. The prof's having to grade the extra credit was extra work for him that was solely due to your laziness.</p>

<p>You don't deserve the A-. Do whatever you want in terms of e-mailing him or talking to him, but do keep in mind that you didn't earn an A-, so he doesn't have to give you one. Since the class was easy, you should be kicking yourself for not earning a solid "A", not asking your prof for favors.</p>

<p>I had a situation last year where I had As on every assignment but a B on the last essay, and had participated in and attended every class. I kindly asked him to consider my effort and attendance when I had an 89.6%, but he did not round up to an A.</p>

<p>Considering your C performance on 2 tests, and extra credit, I would not ask for a grade raise. Getting a B+ is still a great grade.</p>

<p>He could give you 0.4% that you did not earn, or he could take away 0.6% that you did earn. You have a good chance at getting that A-. I wouldn't recommend emailing him--a face-to-face discussion is best.</p>

<p>I think the professor was alreadly generous enough by offering the EC and grading it. Asking him for a higher grader, which you don't deserves as far as test scores go, is pushing your luck. However, since you say he is a laid back guy, it may be worth a try, just don't expect anything.</p>

<p>It would be really funny if the original poster was a "he".</p>

<p>My usual reply to students who ask for a higher grade is that "grades are not negotiable." You get the grade that you earned. If you didn't earn an A-, well, you didn't earn it. Being "close" doesn't mean anything--I have to draw the line somewhere between a B+ and an A-. Wherever I draw it, someone will be just above and someone will be just below. This time, you're the one just below. Next time or in another class, you may be the one just above. By the end of college, things will even out. So just forget about it and accept the fact that you didn't quite make it this time around--it won't matter in the long run.</p>

<p>youre getting a B ...live and learn</p>