Pass/fail vs. a C in college

[Anonymous]

My DC is wrapping up their first semester at a pretty intense SLAC. They're planning to major in either math or data science. Three of their four classes this semester are STEM and it's been much more challenging than high school. They currently have a C+ (not far from a B-) in an intro to economics class, with one final exam remaining to determine the grade. DC is on the verge of switching that class from graded to pass/fail, which is an option as long as they won't need it for any major or minor requirements. (It'll still satisfy general ed credits.)

We don't have any idea what DC will do for a career, but grad school seems likely for a math/data science undergrad, doesn't it? (I'm a humanities person who didn't go to grad school, so I have no idea.)

If this was your kid, would you advise the pass/fail option to maintain a higher GPA, or does a C in a non-major related class make less difference when applying for grad school if it's in a field of study that's unrelated to the grad program?

DC is disappointed not to have enjoyed or done well in the Economics class because they thought it would be appealing as a mathy person, and at one point even considered an Econ minor. I think their objections are more about this professor than the field of study overall; they have friends in other sections of this class who are loving it. Adding an Econ minor later would not be an option if they switch to pass/fail for this class.

[Anonymous]

I do not think first-semester freshman year grades matter much in the long run. I would take a C over a P, as long as he’s not in danger of it slipping lower.

[Anonymous]

I encourage my kids to use the pass/fail option in a situation like this.

[Anonymous]

It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

A lot of schools have too many Econ majors and limit them by making easy courses like Intro Econ incredibly competitive for As.

[Anonymous]

Can your child use the pass/fail option multiple times during the four years or is it a one-time thing? When I was in college, my college only allowed us to use it one time, so it was really important when to use it. In any case, I think a C+ in freshman year will bring down your child's gpa a lot because and make it hard to find an internship, so I would go with the pass/fail option on this one. By the time junior or senior year comes around, one C+ won't have much of an impact.

[Anonymous]

Generally kid who is good in math should do well in micro/macro Econ. Some formulas, charts and concepts.

[Anonymous]

Sorry mom, but this is a conversation for your student and academic advisor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

hahahahahahaha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

hahahahahahaha

Intro Econ is very simple. You essentially just memorize how to construct graphs and the lowest denominator ideas of foreign exchange, supply and demand, and ideas of elasticity. If you’re struggling with that content, bless your heart when it comes time for econometrics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

hahahahahahaha

Intro Econ is very simple. You essentially just memorize how to construct graphs and the lowest denominator ideas of foreign exchange, supply and demand, and ideas of elasticity. If you’re struggling with that content, bless your heart when it comes time for econometrics.

Econ is a degree for the dumbest. College roomate came into applied econometrics with 0 Econ classes at Williams, ended with an A and the highest score across the midterm and finals. It’s difficulty is heavily overexaggerated by students with poor quantitative skills.

[Anonymous]

It truly is possible to express concern over difficult in an intro concern without being rude and degrading.

[Anonymous]

*difficulty in an intro class. Not the OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little surprising that intro Econ is the troublesome class. It’s usually pretty easy. Is he doing the work?

hahahahahahaha

Intro Econ is very simple. You essentially just memorize how to construct graphs and the lowest denominator ideas of foreign exchange, supply and demand, and ideas of elasticity. If you’re struggling with that content, bless your heart when it comes time for econometrics.

Not the case in all schools. Also, some people aren't wired this way. My engineering brain was not.

[Anonymous]

At our school, the Intro Macro, Micro and Stats were too easy, and then I got walloped by Econometrics before adjusting and doing well the rest of the way. Depends on the school, though.