<p>Could you post an example? How about a B or C paper? I’m perfectly aware that some professors are easier than others, so the more samples we have, the better. Also, mention if the professor has a reputation for being a harsh or easy grader. I’m curious about the level of expectations, which I suspect is high. Thanks.</p>
<p>Um…I don’t know who would actually post a paper they’ve written. It varies WILDLY from Prof to Prof, or more likely, TA to TA. Some classes give you paper guidelines, and matching the guidelines is an A. Some classes, more frustratingly, give guidelines, and expect A papers to surpass guidelines, giving B, B+ or A- to papers that just do what is expected. </p>
<p>Papers here will not give you an idea of what a good paper is. The best thing to do for an assignment is go to the grader (Prof or TA) beforehand and talk about their expectations. Bring them a draft a few days before it’s due and ask them what they think, if they’re willing to give early tips/criticisms. Most classes I’ve taken have done this and if I was unhappy with a paper grade, I was able to bring it up with the guidance of Prof/TA.</p>
<p>It would be helpful for a student to post a paper, the grade, comments, the criteria, as well as nuances about the professor who issued the grade.</p>
<p>I agree with dfleish… It does vary wildly, but I wouldn’t mind posting papers… I don’t really care. :rolleyes:</p>
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<p>this happens a lot at northwestern. professors and TAs also like to provide vague “go above and beyond the topic” in the guidelines that basically is a free pass for them to hand out any arbitrary grade they want and point to the “look, it said to go above and beyond, you didn’t do that enough.”</p>
<p>in short, northwestern grades papers very harshly, if you PM me your email address maybe i’ll send you a few, i don’t think there is room on these boards to copy and paste a 5-10 page paper.</p>
<p>“that basically is a free pass for them to hand out any arbitrary grade they want”</p>
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<li>:)</li>
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<p>I bet that’s why Tech’s gpa is higher…</p>
<p>That’s funny, I’d heard that the humanities were the softer courses. Maybe just in comparison to McCormick, not in comparison to WCAS sciences?</p>
<p>^^
tech students like their school because you can’t argue with numerical answers. everyone works hard and if they get it right, they get it right. their professors can’t artificially deflate GPA by handing out arbitrary paper grades.</p>
<p>Gotcha .</p>