Grades

[plasticastle]

I just finished the first semester of my MA program. I received all A's and one B+. I've heard mixed things about what it means to receive a B or B+ in an MA program. I'm just looking for a few opinions. I'm still on winter break, so I haven't had a chance to talk to the professor.

[LaurenA]

I'm in a psych M.A. program, got a B last semester, and was worried about the same thing. From what I can tell grades matter but what really matters is your work. My B actually came up in a phone interview with a PhD program this week, but the faculty member was pretty casual about it, just mentioning that I should probably audit that course if I get in there, but that my research experience is way more important. I'm not sure how it is in the humanities though. I would ask your advisor...but what can you really do about it now?

[TryingAgain]

In my M.A., getting less than a "B" was grounds for dismissal (although I doubt this is enforced). I always thought of the grading scheme as a condensed version of the undergrad scheme, i.e., where B- = F, etc. Still, I doubt very many professors see it this way, and I wouldn't take a B+ (too) personally.