Hi,
Unfortunately, the grade i received in this class was not the desired one. Was i atleast close to a D? The final started off well for me but then the questions on [course topic, misspelled] and the [another topic] ones totally through me off and messed me up. Unfortunately, i concentrated heavily on old tests and stuff from the book as we were pressed for time. Is there anyway you could send me a breakdown of my grade, just so i can see how far away i was from this elusive D. In addition, this F has made me academically ineligible, because even though i got a B+ and a B, i also got lower than expected grades in two other classes where i "achieved" a C and a D. therefore, i will probably not be able to play [collegiate sport] next season because of my poor grade performance. I am sitting on a 1.9 for this semester and need a 2.0 for me to be eligible to play.
Therefore, if there is any possible way of you increasing my grade to a D that would be greatly appreciated. I will be able to come back to [university name] and live my life normally. If not, i will be on academic probation and not eligible. If that is the case, i dont think that i will return next year. So, if i was close to a D, i will greatly appreciate your help with me getting one.
I wish i was in [city where the university is located] to talk to you about this in person, but i am in [foreign country] so it would be a little hard. I hope that you can do anything possible to rectify this situation.
please let me know
[Student's Name]
The professor's response is worth saving to use later if (when?) you find yourself in this situation:
Dear [Student's Name]:
I am sorry to hear about the adverse consequences of your grade in my course [course number]; however, there is really nothing to "rectify." No professor at this university would ever increase a student's course grade based upon how badly the student wanted or needed a higher grade. Such practices would be antithetical to the mission of the university and imperil its accreditation. See the Web site
[link to Kurt Wiesenfeld's article "Making the Grade," Newsweek, June 17, 1996, page 16]
for a fuller exegesis. Your [course number] grade is based on your demonstrated proficiency with the course material -- nothing else.
You were absent from approximately 70% of our class meetings; you were frequently inattentive (e.g. talking with friends in the back of the class) during the remaining 30%. You never once participated in class discussions or asked a question during lecture. You never came to my office hours with mathematical questions although repeatedly, orally and in writing, I implored students who were having difficulty to see me for help. Apparently the most effort you have put into my class is in your present plea for a grade you didn't earn.
The breakdown of your [course number] grade is as follows:
Homework: 41.23/100 = F
Exam 1: 64/100 = D
Exam 2: excused absence
Exam 3: 59/100 = F
Final Exam: 29/100 = F
Course Total: 41.20/100 = F
I hope my course has taught you something. I wish you luck in your future work.
Sincerely,
[Professor's Name]
The professor also reports: "At the time, I carbon-copied my response to the student's other instructors, some of whom were graduate students and might, I thought, want some support if they were being pressured by this student." What an excellent idea. Just as aggressive drivers speed ahead in the wrong lane until they find the one driver willing to let them in at the front of the line, I'm sure that this student emailed many of his teachers in the hopes that just one of them would increase his/her grade.
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