Should You Pass/Fail That Course?

1. What is your attendance rate?

A: 95%. I had to miss one class because I had to go home for a wedding! I hope it counts as excused — I only emailed my TF 100 times about it!

B: A little more than 50 percent? Maybe? I would say a solid 53 percent.

C: I don’t even know… It has got to be in the negatives at this point.

2. Is this a concentration-related class?

A: This is a foundational course (what does this say about my life choices?). I hope the rest of my concentration classes aren’t this hard…right?

B: Nope… a complete 180 from my concentration. I honestly don’t know what I am doing here anyways…I hope it fulfills some distributional requirement.

C: This is a Gen Ed (it’s okay, we don’t judge…).

3. How much did the Midterm cook you?

A: My grade was much better than expected. I expected a 95, and I got a 96! Woohoo!

B: I did alright. About as much as I expected to get given I started studying the night before.

C: Toasted. I am the first in my bloodline to ever see a grade so low on an exam, and I hope I am the last.

4. How hard does the professor make it to switch to P/F?

A: I must attend office hours, and then stage an hour intervention with the professor in which I will be asked all of my extenuating circumstances (that don’t exist), and will be then subjected to extreme pressure from the prof listing all the reasons why I actually should not switch to P/F, and then at the end of it all be told…“but it’s your choice”, and then I’ll go home and cry a bit.

B: I have to submit a Google Form with my excuses reasons; then I am pretty much good to go.

C: Just request on MyHarvard. I don’t even have to talk to anyone.

5. What is your grade…

A: An A… maybe an A-? Man, I am really letting myself go.

B: Good old solid B. Hey, beggars can’t be choosers. Am I right?

C: I am honestly too scared to check. What I don’t know can’t hurt me.

6. When was the last time you went to a section?

A: I have never missed. I actually host weekly game nights with all of my section friends.

B: A couple appearances were made. I sort of know the kids in there… enough to smile at them in the Yard.

C: I could not identify my TF in a police lineup.

7. Do you sleep in class?

A: No?! I pay attention to the classes I’m paying to attend.

B: An occasional drift off. My trusty classmate normally shakes me back to my senses, and the cycle continues until it’s time to leave.

C: I just sleep in my bed instead. Why sleep in a stiff, cold, wooden chair when I can sleep in my comfy bed?

8. Are other people you know taking it P/F?

A: I haven’t really asked. This idea came to me during a lecture yesterday and I haven’t let it go since.

B: A couple… they are all from different concentrations, though. I don’t know who to consult on this issue…

C: Everybody is…why??? Should I be concerned? Do I need to?

9. What year are you?

A: I’m just a freshman! I’ve never gotten an A- before! I’m freaking out!

B: A tired first-semester junior. I don’t have the mental fortitude to worry about my grades anymore. I want to hang out with my friends and frolic somewhere.

C: Just let me out of here. I am a senior and I yearn to leave already. My GPA is just a figment of my imagination.

10. What are your plans after college?

A: My dad secured me an entry-level position making $100,000 at his investment banking firm. Why do you ask?

B: Maybe graduate school… of some sort. Or maybe not… I don’t know. I am starting to think I may just have to get into consulting.

C: Pre-med. Please pray for me. Do you think going to Harvard will make up for my semester GPA that starts with a 2.

Results:

Mostly A’s: Just hang in there

You don’t need to change anything. Chances are, the hassle of actually changing the course to pass/fail will be more effort than just locking in for the last couple of weeks. Sure, it would probably alleviate some stress on your end, but you aren’t in the worst shape. Just hang in there, soldier, the end is in sight.

Mostly B’s: Maybe you can hold off…

You might want to consider switching. You aren’t fully cooked, but you are getting there. If you were doing good at the start of the year, then had too much fun on Halloweekend and started going off the rails a little, reel it back in and reevaluate your life choices. Somewhere, deep down in your soul, is the academic weapon that got you in here, so start acting like one. If not… maybe start looking into petitioning .

Mostly C’s: Start petitioning now before it’s too late.

The deadline is now (Nov. 17…fyi) to change to pass/fail. This is a very viable option for you. Start making those emails, putting office hours in your calendar, and put on your biggest, most puppy-dog pleading eyes because you are going to need them. Go save that GPA!