Pass/failing or risking a class that's not in my major

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello all, </p>

<p>I'm a sophomore in Computer Science and I'm really interested in AI so my concentration advisor encouraged me to take Game Theory in Econ sometime during my undergrad years, and I'm particularly interested in that kind of stuff in econ anyways. </p>

<p>However, before I can take Game Theory, I have to clear 3 weeder classes at Michigan: Econ 101, 102, and 401. (intro and intermediate economics) I did really well in 101/102, and I just had my first midterm in 401. I'm not a lazy student at all ... I did everything in the book on how to succeed in class: completing problem sets to the best of my ability, going to office hours, doing my readings, doing all the practice tests, and some more. </p>

<p>However, I got back my results and I got a C on my first midterm, including curve. This class is 100% based on 3 tests ( 2 midterms + 1 final ). And my reasoning is that if I already invested so much time into the class and I've started so poorly in the class, chances are that my end grade won't be so good. </p>

<p>This comes as a shocker to me, because I'm a really hard worker and I have a very good GPA in college (3.9 UW GPA) and I don't want that to nosedive, especially in sophomore year. It's just really surprising, because I was top in multivariate calculus and I did very well in intro econ classes.</p>

<p>But I have 3 choices now: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>To continue taking the class and try my best to bump up my grade (it's bell curve so alot of people in the class are doing much better than I am or have a much better grasp of the material) </p></li>
<li><p>To make the class pass/fail </p></li>
<li><p>To drop the class and have it marked as a "W" on my transcript (withdraw ... but I'm not really considering this option at this point) </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'm planning on applying to a PhD program in AI and I've done research projects in this kind of stuff (econ + computer science stuff), and both choices 2 and 3 would mean that I will no longer be able to take Game Theory in college (Department of Econ requirements here), which seriously bums me out. I really wanted to take this class! I'm REALLY upset and frustrated about this.</p>

<p>I've emailed my GSI asking to meet with her and to figure out new tactics to approach this class, but she has yet to reply. (She doesn't really like me in the first place :()</p>

<p>What do you guys recommend? Is it time for me to go back to the drawing board and draw up a new 4 year plan?</p>

2

<p>Don’t overreact. You got a C on a test. It’s not the end of the world. Just do better on the next two tests and get your grade up to a B.</p>

<p>Just because you get a C in a class doesn’t mean you can no longer go to grad school. </p>

<p>You’re only a sophomore. My guess is you will be getting another C (or two) on a test sometime between now and graduation. The freshmen classes you built your 3.9 GPA with probably weren’t that challenging. I’m sure there will be more bumps on the road for you, there is for everyone. Don’t freak out over it.</p>

3

<p>Pass/Fail is a great option. It is not in your department, so it won’t be too harshly held in your applications. You want the knowledge, so take it, finish it. It will enhance your application. But you might like to explore why others are doing better than you. Econ is a really different mindset than CS/maths.</p>

<p>PhD applications are all about your potential for research, not your gpa. gpa is helpful as is gre. but you will be admitted or not on your experience in research and work, and your recco’s.</p>

<p>Don’t assume a prof doen’t like YOU. They may just not like how you behave, just like your mommy. Go to office hours for help, if there is a TA, start there.</p>

4

<p>Finish the course so you can take the recommended course. You still have time to improve your grade or opt for P/F- just make sure taking the course P/F allows you to take the next course. A discussion with your advisor soon is a good idea.</p>

5

<p>I was in the exact same position a few years ago: CS major, interest in AI, took Game Theory in the Econ dept… Difficult teacher, C’s on assignments.</p>

<p>I switched to Pass/Fail and was glad I did. It turns out many of the other students were also having a difficult time so my final grade was curved up to a B, but I was still glad to have one fewer B factored into my GPA.</p>

6

<p>Taking the class P/F will mean that I will not be allowed to take Game Theory. </p>

<p>And I didn’t say a prof didn’t like me. The class has 350 people in it. He doesn’t know me at all. My GSI/TA doesn’t like me.</p>

<p>There is one more test left, but I’m going to another TA (the head one) and working it out with her to see what’s going wrong sometime later this week. I’m gonna take action early!</p>