Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
For many positions, your GPA is just not the deciding factor. Schedule an appointment with the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) to discuss how to proceed with a GPA you don’t want to highlight. And take some comfort in the latest BC Outcomes data, which does not talk about GPA, but must cover many people with less than stellar grades: http://bit.ly/EaglesLanded18
You can certainly ask, but you should have a solid reason. I would lay out the reasons in a logical and calm manner. Professors are very used to students asking for a better grade for unreasonable reasons, so having a good case to make should help you. Also, if necessary, you can appeal the grade: bit.ly/BCGradeAppeal
One of the nicest parts of my job as an answerer is that I can support students and not have to grade them. I don’t envy my faculty friends who have to do that.
I checked with my contacts in the Academic Advising Center, and they told me that, for this semester, it will not have a numerical value or affect your GPA. Once the grade is given next semester, it will count towards your GPA.
First, check the syllabus. There are many possible scenarios for those who have a rocky start; the exams may not have equal weight, the professor may consider improvement in the second exam, they may give options for extra credit. If that’s not the case, I recommend going the the professor’s office hours and having a frank discussion. And, of course, peer tutoring is available at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors).
Boosting up GPA is hard, but I’m sure you can do this. Take advantage of all the help on offer: CFLC (tutoring & academic coaching: bit.ly/connors), meet with all of your professors, create study groups with other students, find productive places to study in BC Libraries, work with librarians on all of your research papers (library.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian), and then study like mad for the LSAT’s. You’ve got this!
I’m very sorry you’re struggling and worried. Touch base with your academic advisor for general advice about your GPA and options, and get lots of tutoring help from the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors). I’m cheering for you.
I would advise asking the professor directly, and also speaking to your academic advisor or the Advising Center (bit.ly/BC-advising) about your concerns.
I hear your frustration. College is only 4 years out of a long life, and grades should really just be a way of ascertaining that you’ve “got it” about a subject, not the goal. On the other hand, college gives you opportunities you may not have again in life, to learn intensively and follow a path of study that interests you. Grades may or may not matter for your career goals, so there is some risk in ignoring that aspect, I hope you can focus on the core learning and growing part of your time here.
Good for you! Make a preemptive strike against bad grades, and try tutoring at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) before you get to the point where you’re struggling. Best wishes for a productive semester.
