Zelda311

The thing is, since the professor didn't even grade these assignments, will he even have any feedback? The TA corrects all the assignments and everything that she corrected totally made sense, it was just stupid mistakes that I made (again, not making excuses, just saying...)

So, I currently have about a 68 in one of my core classes (that I need to pass with a B.) I know, I pretty much suck, so I am definitely not making excuses or anything, but to put it in context, I think it is because our grades thus far are based on only two assignments (and I really wish there were more.) The first one was a take home homework assignment earlier in the semester. It was worth 20% of our grade and I got a 9/15 (60%) on it. The second was our midterm, which was worth 30%. I have serious test anxiety and I got a 14.2/20 (71%) on that one (despite feeling like I have a good grasp on the material,) so that raised my grade a little but obviously not that much. The rest of our grade is based on participation and a big paper, which I *think* will give me a B if I get anything above a 90, but it's going to be close. I think the average grade in class is around an 80? So there may be some sort of curve (although maybe not if final papers raise the average significantly,) but I am clearly way below average. I know some professors don't offer extra credit or opportunities to improve your grade but I know that some do (and it is offered in this subject taught by a different professor, who I hear also curves quite liberally and I am kicking myself over not taking his class instead) so I would like to ask. Especially because I really do feel that my grade is not representative of what I have learned in class and wish there were more assignments. Also, because he is actually a professor from a neighboring school he doesn't have an office on campus and doesn't have office hours. I could set up an appointment by email I guess and I have been thinking about it because I really want to ask about this but I'm not sure what to say. Does anyone have any advice?

Hi everyone, I'm kind of freaking out today because I got a bad grade in my epidemiology class, which is one of the core requirements for my program (public health.) We got back out first assignment and I got a 60. I haven't ever gotten a 60, but I also haven't taken a math class in a looooong time. It was a short assignment but worth 20% of our grade. I actually noticed that the professor gave me an extra half point which I think he did on purpose to keep me above failing (he considers anything over a 59 a C... anyways, that was nice of him, though I doubt it will have an effect on how the school sees the grade.) My program requires an 85 average but you can pass an individual class with a B- (which I would be totally happy with in this class.) The last day to withdraw is this Friday and I have thought about that, though that just seems so sad (and plus it would totally mess up the sequence of my classes, but so would failing...) Has anyone else else been in a similar situation? Am I totally screwed? I guess I am just looking for advice/someone to commiserate with. And if you have been in this situation, what happened? What should I do? Edited to add: Oh yeah, it's my first semester if that's relevant, so it's not like I have any other grades to speak of.

Right now I am leaning towards Tufts because I think the program size is a better fit for me.... but I can't decide! Does anyone have any thoughts?

I'm applying for MPH programs. My application is due today and one of my letter writers hasn't submitted her letter. I have sent her a few reminder emails and resent the links to the recommendation forms, but I haven't received a response since my initial request (which I thought was fine since none of the reminder emails I sent demanded a response.) I know that programs are generally understanding of late professors, but the overall lateness of this deadline makes is even more concerning (fortunately SOPHAs applications can be processed when 2 of 3 recommendations have been submitted, so at least there's that I guess.) I have been out of school for a few years and this is a former professor so it's not like I can go to her office. What is a gentle way of letting her know that I need her to submit this asap?

Today I received a rejection from letter from the only school I applied to, which happens to be my undergrad school. I suppose it may have been naive to apply to only one school but honestly, it's the only program that I felt like I really wanted to do. I actually said that if I didn't get in I would not go to grad school and tried to accept the possibility that I might not (because really I just wanted to be in this city) but I was pretty confident in my chances, particularly because one of my former professors who is involved in the program that I applied to wrote me a recommendation and was really enthusiastic about it (hope to see you here!) I didn't even ask for funding so I can't blame it on that. I didn't have the best gpa ever or anything (though perfectly acceptable) but I have been out of school for a few years and have experience to show for it. My math section of the GRE was pretty weak, I must admit, but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that... Also, everyone I talked to about this which is, like, everyone I know (I wasn't going to tell anyone that I was applying but I suck at not telling everyone everything about my life, apparently) thought I would get in for sure so not getting in is slightly humiliating. I have no idea what to do now, as I am currently living with my parents because my year-long job (an Americorps position) recently ended and have no job prospects (though I haven't really been looking for a permanent full time job because of this.) And I am feeling pretty dejected... I really have no idea what I even want to do with my life right now. But I'm just venting. Anyways, the point of my rant is that I want to follow up to see how I could improve my application for next year, if I decide to reapply. Has anyone done this? Who should I contact? Does anyone have any other advice?

Sorry, just realized I probably posted this in the wrong place... I meant to post in the waiting it out forum

Today I received a rejection from letter from the only school I applied to, which happens to be my undergrad school. I suppose it may have been naive to apply to only one school but honestly, it's the only program I really wanted to do. I actually said that if I didn't get in I would not go to grad school and tried to accept the possibility that I might not but also I was pretty confident in my chances, particularly because one of my former professors who is involved in the program that I applied to wrote me a recommendation and was really enthusiastic about it (hope to see you here!) I didn't even ask for funding so I can't blame it on that. I didn't have the best gpa ever or anything but I have been out of school for a few years and have experience to show for it. My math section of the GRE was pretty weak, I must admit, but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that... Also, everyone I talked to about this which is, like, everyone I know (I wasn't going to tell anyone that I was applying but I suck at not telling everyone everything about my life, apparently) thought I would get in for sure so not getting in is slightly humiliating. I have no idea what to do now, as I am currently living with my parents because my year-long job (an Americorps position) recently ended and have no job prospects (though I haven't really been looking for a permanent full time job because of this.) And I am feeling pretty dejected... I really have no idea what I even want to do with my life right now. But I'm just venting. Anyways, the point of my rant is that I want to follow up to see how I could improve my application for next year, if I decide to reapply. Has anyone done this? Who should I contact? Does anyone have any other advice?

Also, I forgot to mention in the ask letter that I graduated in spring 2010, the year that I took her class. So maybe that has something to do with it and I need to remind her of that.... Thoughts?

Hi everyone, I'm applying to a masters program at my undergraduate school but have been out of school for 3 years. I know I have two really strong recommendations from a recent employer and a professor that I had a travel course with as an undergrad. The third recommendation is slightly challenging. I emailed the one other professor who I think would know me best and also teaches a class that is relevant to the program I am applying to. She said that she would be happy to do it but that three years is a long time (obviously I have not been in contact... oops) and would it be in my best interest to find a more current reference? I wasn't really expecting that but I'm pretty sure I would still like the recommendation if she is willing to provide it, which it sounds like she is. My other recommendations are more current and I don't have anyone else to ask. Also as a side note, she is involved with the program I am applying to so I'm not sure if that was a good or bad thing to ask her but oh well, can't do anything about that now. So what would be a proper response in this situation?