Duke Senior taking questions

singersmom
Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:03:16 +0000

Tiger09 - my D had a friend who was failing a class. The advisor recommended the student stay in the class and try to do better. The professor was not helpful at all - the student was totally confused and could get no help. They tried the Academic Resource Center - no help from them either - the advice was to hire a private tutor. The student did not have the resources to hire a private tutor and did not have their own transport to meet with a private tutor off campus.

The following year the student found out their roommate had been taking the exact same course and had the exact same problem - that student was advised by both their academic advisor to withdraw from the class - the professor also advised them to drop the class.

Two students - same year - different academic advisors - different profs - same class.

Undergrad advising and help at Duke is hit and miss depending on what type of advice you got. The student who received a failing grade in the class will always have that on their record and starts their freshman year in the hole - their advisor was a nonacademic in a support department. The student who dropped the class had an advisor who was an academic.

The type of situation you describe happens more than you think. There is no re do on classes. Once you receive a grade you are stuck with it!