<p>I have given advice on this exact thing before. My friend in engineering ended up getting to at least take the exam, with 25% taken off from the start which is so much better than a 0 that he thanked me later.</p>
<p>But unfortunately, your first move was incorrect. </p>
<p>The one thing that I want to clairfy here is that everybody who is saying to lie in this situation is wrong. Lying will get him nowhere. Does anyone here really think that this man has not heard every excuse in the book before? And even if he hasn’t, does anyone here really believe that this educated man couldn’t see through any lie he could put up to him? He is not in a position to lie because in all honesty the prof will just end up seeing right through him and making his life even more miserable than just missing an exam. The last thing anyone should do is make the professor believe that you thought he was stupid enough to believe you. </p>
<p>That is a SLAP IN THE FACE. And that gets you sent not only to an absolute certain failing grade but also to the dean or whoever handles people who have the audacity to lie and attempt to cheat the system.</p>
<p>Ok, so now to the OP, your intentions were right in line. You were honest. But the problem is that you didn’t do this face to face. This is not a situation for e-mail. The only e-mail or phone call you make in this case should involve making an appointment to see him and nothing more said. Why face to face? Here’s my reasoning:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>He may recognize you. If he knows you are the kid sitting at the front of the room always in attendace (yes professors even in 100 person class sections know), then he will have a better idea of who you are and your commitment to his class. That is something an e-mail will not get you.</p></li>
<li><p>He will realize you are man enough to confront your mistake face to face. E-mail is for appointments and quick easy questions. E-mail is not for serious business. If you e-mail the professor that you unfortunately missed his exam, he a) doesn’t know who you are (unless you have introduced yourself and talk frequently which I doubt you have done both) and b) Has a much easier decision to make. Telling someone who is genuinely sorry that they are out of luck face to face is a much more difficult call to make, albeit it is probably what he will tell you anyways.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>So now you are faced with a dilemma because he has already cast his judgment upon you. With that said, your chances are not over, but they are not good at all. What I would recommend you do is reply to him saying that if possible you would like to talk to him in office hours one day this week. He will not say no. You should then in the meeting introduce yourself and say you emailed him earlier about missing the exam. Without pause, state that you are very sorry about the carelessness and disrespect you may have shown to him due to your actions. And most importantly, tell him that you really do care about succeeding in the class and ask if there is anything that you can do to make that happen because right now you feel that it is looking impossible. Be honest, and if he laughs you off then you live with the consequence and no harm is done to your reputation beyond the 0 you receive, but if he shows any sympathy you know you gained it the honorable way. </p>
<p>My two cents. I hope someone finds this useful.</p>