Is actual grade for the first semester available to other schools on request?

shopaholic2 · 09-30-2005, 12:38 AM

I understand that the first semester grade is pass/fail on the transcript. However, I just learned from another student that medical school may actually ask the school or the student to provide the actual grade. Is that true?

super6 · 09-30-2005, 03:34 AM

yes, some medical schools request those hidden grades to be shown. Johns Hopkins is one I can think of off the top of my head.

molliebatmit · 09-30-2005, 10:46 AM

They do have to ask the students, just so you know -- you personally have to go to the department and ask for your hidden grade to be un-hidden. So med schools can't see it unless you ask for it to be seen (although it's not like you're given much of a choice in the matter if you want to go to that particular medical school).

texas137 · 09-30-2005, 12:04 PM

So if you go to every department and ask to have your grade revealed, you then have a transcript with grades? I don't think he's going to be applying to med schools, but my son needs a transcript with grades for the "good student" discount on our car insurance.

mootmom · 09-30-2005, 01:15 PM

Does your insurance company make him prove that every year? Our son qualified a few years ago when he started driving, and they've never asked us for proof that it still pertains.

dreamer88 · 09-30-2005, 03:59 PM

What grade is considered passing?

molliebatmit · 09-30-2005, 08:55 PM

Passing is a C- or above.

texas137, I am not sure that the "revealed" grades actually go on the transcript -- I was more under the impression that the student gets a letter on the official department letterhead saying "this person got a B+ in 18.01" or whatever.

Oh! Here we are, from here

Quote:

Please note, that grades for courses taken under pass/no record during freshman year are important to a few medical schools. Although not common among the majority of medical schools, Johns Hopkins University does request to see your freshman hidden grades. To release pass/no record grades contact each individual academic department and have your released grades sent to the MIT Careers Office (12-170). Your released freshman grades (not your official transcript) will be sent with your recommendation letter packet to the schools you apply to. Please submit the Hidden Grades Form to the Careers Office to indicate which grades you want to be sent to schools.

Personally, I'd just wait until next term when freshmen do have a GPA for the good student discount -- it's a little red-tapey to get hidden grades released.

mit2007mit · 10-12-2005, 07:21 AM

Yes

(What? That's the answer to the question...)