Just want some opinions on my situation. About half way through my first semester (this past fall) I was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery at the beginning of November. I missed about a week of classes and missed out on about 2 weeks of studying for finals because of all the catching up (open memo and reading assignments). I took my finals and felt somewhat OK about my performance, never feeling that I did bad at all. This was all until I received a C- in torts and pretty much got one of the lowest grades in the class (although there were some who got D's). All my other grades are above the median (B's and B+) so I am wondering if it was a mistake or not. I actually felt more confident about that test than any other so this is an absolute shock to me and I feel as if this will tarnish my chances on a summer job. How do you all think I should go about this? Any advice? Thank you!

It appears that you are curved to a C average. Given your situation, your performance is commendable. I would not worry about the low torts grade, just kick ass next semester.

But wow, how did you already get grades back?

If you're concerned about how potential employers would evaluate that C in light of what appear to be otherwise solid grades, they'll likely ask, "So what happened in torts?"

You'll have a lot better answer than the usual, "The professor and I didn't get along."

If anything, showing that you can recover that quickly from fucking cancer would tell me as an employer that you are somebody who can overcome a hell of a lot. Good work.

I'm gonna agree with this.

I'd hire someone with drive and ambition who beat cancer over some pussy who's good at spotting issues on a torts exam.

I just had major surgery over the break so I am still recovering and hope to be well enough to get back into it next semester - I just didnt want to quit in the fall because I was too far, but at the same time I took a huge risk. Anyways, I am going to make an appointment with my professor as soon as I get back into town to discuss my test. From the grade I received, the professor is pretty much telling me I did not learn one thing in torts and that what I did during the semester was a waste of time. It was an open note test so I guess expectations are a little higher but this was everyone's first semester so I dont see how everyone could have done significantly better. If you guys went to your professor to "discuss" your grade, how would you approach it? Would it seem unreasonable for her to regrade it in light of my circumstances even though it was "blindly" graded? Thanks!

I would go in there just like asking to understand what you did wrong and what you could/should have done better. I wouldn't ask for a regrade, but I would drop a lot of unsubtle hints about cancer etc. S/he may cut you a break.

I really doubt you can convince her to re-grade that particular exam BUT you might be able to go through the dean and request a new exam. I say that only because I don't see the professor having the authority to favorably reassess an exam like that whereas a retake might be more impartial on its face. iirc, the standard procedure at some schools would be to require you to take the exam the next time it is offered (which might be next fall term) so that the blind grading and curve are preserved and the professor does not have to write a whole new test for you. The best route would definitely have been to inform them ahead of time and receive some sort of exception because now it gives the appearance of impropriety. That is, you want to keep your good grades and redo your bad grades.

With that said, if anyone gets a no questions asked retake, you do.