<p>So I just got my grade for Contemp. Civ. and I am extremely unhappy with it.</p>
<p>Several questions:</p>
<p>1) Is there specific number of A/Bs that are given out per class? Or does it depend on the instructor?</p>
<p>2) I'm going to ask to meet my prof, what's the likelihood of her/him bumping me up half a letter grade? B+ -> A-</p>
<p>I'm not a grade-grubber and I've never argued for a grade change, but I feel I deserve better. For people that have successfully had their grades changed, how would you recommend I approach this?</p>
<p>Well...considering Columbia Profs grade on a curve....I'm sure you know, It's based on what the professor thought the level of the top student's work was in comparision to everyone else in the class.. </p>
<p>So to change your grade, you would have to basically convince your professor that his rating of the top student's level of work was incorrect making your level of work more deserving of an A.. doesn't sound like that is likely but hey you can try...good luck...</p>
<p>First off, there is an exam viewing period right at the start of the semester, or perhaps even right before it. Call the registrar's office to ask about that.</p>
<p>Secondly, if you do want to pursue the professor, the way to approach this is NOT to straight-out say "I deserve better grade ___". Instead:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>By phone or email, ask for some of the professor's time. Be considerate and understanding.</p></li>
<li><p>Begin in a friendly way, ask how their holidays went, if they're enjoying the slow time right now, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>When you get down to business, say that you're trying to understand what went into your grade for last semester so you can improve for next semester. Ask if they can explain the grades for each part.</p></li>
<li><p>If you have a particular bone to pick over particular papers or exams, make sure the object of the sentences is the papers or exams, not the professor. i.e. phrase things as "this paper got a C+, but it does these 3 things well, and I think this paper deserves more like a B. What do you think?"</p></li>
<li><p>Understand that there may be administrative hurdles that would slow down a professor's attempts to change a grade. The thought of going through that in order to help you may make them resist wanting to do so, just to save a little of their time. Sympathize with that, if you get some initial agreement that certain grades could be boosted. Use sympathy at every juncture to try to make them like you and want to help you.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You may stand a chance if you do all this, but otherwise it won't be worth your time. In which case, just drink less this semester :)</p>
<p>Good advice Den...but remember, there will always be some classes where a few students are just really brilliant and no amount of work will bring you close enough to their level to warrant an A in the professor's eyes...so I wouldn't stress too much about it...it happens to everyone in most top schools..certain subjects/classes just come VERY easily to a few individuals and it's hard to stay in the competitive "A" range..no reflection on your intelligence, just a fact of life in schools such as Columbia or HYP, etc...</p>
<p>I think it's highly unlikely that you'll get a grade change in a course where your grade is entirely based on subjective essay grading. It's one thing if there's a flagrant unfairness, but the difference between a B+ and an A- is tough to discern and it's tough to convince the professor to second-guess her own grading -- when she read all the students' papers at once -- when it could have been a coin flip in the first place.</p>