<p>Ok so my Bio prof. says that she may fail students who miss more than twice. Well, I missed 3 classes. This really sucks especially since I have the highest grade in the class. So I really need advice on how to approach this professor. I don't wish to alienate her. But it don't want to sound like a grade grubber also. </p>
<p>BTW. I'm shy so I don't interact with professors much.</p>
<p>Do you have a good reason for missing at least one of the three? If so, then I would say definitely approach her after class and tell her the reason (if it was doctor-related, bring a note). Tell her that you're really sorry for missing class more than twice but you had X reason and would she please consider that in making final grades. Mention that you are working really hard in the class to keep up with what you missed, and say that you hope she can see that reflected in your current grade.</p>
<p>That sounds weird, have you check the college handbook? here where I go to school there are different rules depending on how many hours you take a week and I think the maximum days you can miss is five days. (and even then I believe you can work something out if your absences were legit.)</p>
<p>Did you apologize to her right away, when you missed the third class? If so, this will work in your favor. If not, it may not be too late. If she visibly takes attendance every class, or if the class is small enough to for her to notice, don't hope that she may have made a mistake. Address the deficiency now, before the end of the semester. Ask her if there is anything you can do to make up for the third absence.</p>
<p>I doubt she will fail you since you have the highest grade in the class. Not coming to class, however, shows a lack of respect, both for the prof and for the material. Trust me, as one of her best students, you already have her respect. Now it's time to show her that she has yours.</p>
<p>I can meet her in her office hours. I'm planing on apologizing. One of my absenses are legit since I was sick. I've emailed her in the past about this. Well I thought of telling her that I'm under lots of pressure from my parents and I am applying to UCs. I don't know if this would work. </p>
<p>BTW, I tried to address the deficiency with her, but she avoids the subject by saying that shes only going to view the role sheet at the end of the term. Only then she would count the absences. So pretty much, I don't know if I have an A or an F.</p>
<p>I seriously doubt she would fail a student with a top grade just because you missed one extra day. That's completely ridiculous. Obviously you are pulling your weight in the class or you wouldn't have such a great grade. </p>
<p>Did you not present her with your doctor's note after your illness absence? (seems like you tried to and she didn't take it?) At my school we're generally allowed 3 UNexcused absences before the professors are allowed to set their rules about what they do after that (a few fail, most just start dropping your grade by a letter) but the profs are required to take any documentation you provide for having had, among other things, an illness. Other things, I believe, are participating in school-sanctioned events such as athletics teams or the university band (like if they have to leave early to go to games) or having a death in the relatively immediate family (generally for that you have to provide a funeral home program or obituary of the person). </p>
<p>If she didn't take your doctor's excuse, you may have a valid reason for protesting your grade at the end of the semester if she does indeed fail you. Definitely check your school's bulletin/handbook/whatever the rule book is called there, and see what it says about legitimate absences.</p>
<p>"I thought of telling her that I'm under lots of pressure from my parents and I am applying to UCs."</p>
<p>Absolutely do NOT say this. It sounds like a lame excuse, without taking responsibility for your own actions. Since you've already broached the subject, I suggest that you leave it alone. She will not fail a top student because of a third absence unless this action is required by the department itself. Even then, she may conveniently ignore the absence or simply lower your final grade slightly.</p>
<p>"She will not fail a top student because of a third absence unless this action is required by the department itself."</p>
<p>Thanks God that she mentioned " student may be failed " </p>
<p>" "I thought of telling her that I'm under lots of pressure from my parents and I am applying to UCs."</p>
<p>Absolutely do NOT say this." </p>
<p>Point taken. </p>
<p>"Did you not present her with your doctor's note after your illness absence?"</p>
<p>No, I didn't have a doctors excuse. I had a headache, that was all. </p>
<p>Btw, this is totally unrelated but can someone show me how to use the quote function?</p>
<p>Did this professor tell you the attendance policy at the beginning of the semester?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Btw, this is totally unrelated but can someone show me how to use the quote function?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>to quote, i think you put "quote" (without the "s) inside brackets, c&p your quote, and then put in "/quote" (again, in brackets, without the "s).</p>
<p>You should definitely talk to the professor. I think she says that more as a deterrent for poorer students, who don't really have any interest or inclination in bio, but it's good to just talk to her during an office hour</p>
<p>Hey, guys, I talked to her and she said "don't worry about it". And to think that I almost got ulcers from this. Well, thanks for you guy's advice. Maybe I can sleep tight now LOL.</p>
<p>Wait. You're in college, and your professors take attendance? What?</p>
<p>I've had lots of professors take attendance. It's pretty common in smaller classes. I've even had some big lecture classes that did it by seating arrangement or signing a sheet posted on the wall. Not every class does it, but it's relatively common.</p>
<p>All of my professors have :/</p>
<p>My university has an attendence policy so they have to...and lots of professors start taking points off final grades after a student misses a certain number of classes. </p>
<p>My brother was also failed in a class he had an A in because of absenses. It happens. </p>
<p>Go to class...it's not that hard...it's why you're (or your parents are) spending thousands of dollars to be there...grow up.</p>
<p>Ouch. Attendance should be mandatory not because they give you a grade for it but because of the educational value.</p>
<p>Attendance in university? Weird.</p>
<p>We get marks for participation in seminars and discussions, so not being there will work to your disadvantage. I've never had a prof take attendance in a lecture though. </p>
<p>In some of the intro science courses at my school they take attendance in large lectures using "clickers". Every student buys a clicker with their student number programmed in, and on random days during the year (every few lectures) the prof will bring up a question on the board and you have to enter your answer (it's kind of like "ask the audience" in a game show). They can then double check the student number to make sure you are attending class. Sounds like it would work except a lot of my friends in science take each other's clickers to class... heh.</p>
<p>Obliviously you deserve to fail.</p>
<p>and we dont spend thousands of dallors to go to class to hear some idiot read off a power point, we pay for a grade that hopefully will get us a JOB.</p>
<p>Obliviously, huh?</p>
<p>For some reason I don't feel a need to actually argue against your moronic "paying for a grade" bull after that line.</p>