Easy A's at UCSC?

Kender
Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:52:50 +0000

You’re comparing the combination of upper-division and lower-division grades with only lower-division grades as well as nearly four years of work to nearly two years of work. Unit load when these grades were earned should also be taken into account as well as non-academic commitments. Was the bare minimum taken? What about excess units? Which classes were graded on a subjective scale?

Like most schools, there are varying levels of instructors. Many of the lower-division classes at UCSC could be considered “easy” for the motivated student (just because your brother supposedly does drugs does not mean that his performance is impacted). However, I’ve experienced lower-division classes where the work load exceeded my upper-division classes.

This is for an upper-division class, but I currently have a class where if you get lower than 60% on one assignment or exam (even if you receive 100% on everything else), then you will fail the course. The class is considered to be one of the most difficult within its department and many do not pass it. Considering the class is only offered every other year, this prevents students from easily retaking it for grade replacement.

So no, As are not easy at UCSC as a rule. One could get lucky and find that rare instructor who offers significant amounts of extra credit or is simply an easy grader. There are several students on these boards who have admitted to seeking out those “easy instructors” so that they could maintain a high GPA.

To be honest, your post comes off as bitter and as if you are looking for some sort of justification for why your brother’s GPA is higher than yours. You claim to love your brother, but you’re willing to make an assumption that a research university (one that you would have learned about in at least your biology class because UCSC is responsible for the Human Genome project as well as having contracts with NASA) simply hands out As to its students. Add to this the personal problems you mentioned. Does it not seem logical to you that your personal problems had an impact on your performance? Or how about the fact that you also admit you never study?

If you truly want to be competitive with your brother at a college level, you need to compare similar classes and not a sophomore GPA with a senior GPA. Or better yet: don’t be competitive with him. You go to entirely different schools, take different classes, and have different life experiences. Deal with your own personal issues and stop trying to downplay play your brother’s success in an effort to boost your own sense of self-worth. Perhaps also put in more efficient study time. You might see an improvement if you put more effort into your school work.