I usually do not like having anything to do with emotional moments. I only get into then if absolutely necessary, like saying “I’m sorry” to someone after they lost a relative or someone important to them. Other than those situations, if someone does something nice to me, rather than telling them it means a lot to me, I find a way to repay them with my actions, without saying anything. It sounds weird, but that is the way I am.
Now I am actually considering changing that. What happened was that I e-mailed my professor asking her why I had received an A- instead of a A. She e-mailed me back saying essentially that I really deserve a B+ and I should be happy with the A-. She was right actually, but I had no way of knowing that since there were some scores that went into my grade that I was not aware of (that is why I sent the e-mail). This made me upset because I feel that she is now pointlessly upset at me. She felt like she did me a favor by giving me the A- and then I somehow showed her that I am ungrateful for it.
Normally I would just let this go and endure the inevitable awkward hallway encounter. This time is different because this is the second best professor I have every had. The name of the course alone would induce any normal person into a state of involuntary drowsiness, but yet her class was delightful. She made complicated ideas seem very clear. She made an effort to show how those ideas were relevant. I know, believe me I know that not all teachers waste their time doing this. She, however, did and I appreciated that very much.
I figured that I would show my appreciation by doing well in her class and I did do good in her class, but now she might think I am ungrateful and that I do not appreciate her effort.
That is why I want to send her an e-mail saying essentially that I am not sucking up to get an A or to get anything else, and that I noticed her effort and that I am really grateful for it. E-mailing a thank you letter does not involve the same level of drama as a personal thank you speech, so I am more comfortable with that format.
Is this a good idea or does it sound pointless and a little cheesy?
I don’t think a thank you is necessary, but it would be a nice touch. If you thank her, I’d suggest that you explain that you didn’t understand what went into your marks, but you now do, and as a result you’re grateful for the additional unearned credit.
My mother was a college professor, my step-father is, and my SIL is. They love thank you letters and feedback. However, your case is unusual. She didn’t actually do you a favor to be grateful about. You deserved the grade if not in absolute numbers or else she would not have given it to you. She may have changed the scale for the whole class,
Don’t grovel for an honestly given grade. Just thank her for the clarification and then tell her what you liked about the class and teaching style. That should work great.
I was about to say the same thing. Thank her for the class, not the grade. Its perfectly fair to ask about your grade, especially if some assignments weren’t returned to you. So long as your 1st email wasn’t snippy I don’t think you have any reason to feel awkward about this.
I keep a pile of such emails in my desk drawer for those days I need a morale boost. Even a simple “I enjoyed your class and thank you for clarifying my grade” would make me smile!
There is nothing wrong with asking how your grade was calculated. However, if you ever find yourself in that position again, you can simply ask “how was my grade calculated” rather than “Why didn’t I get and A”.
I second Canadjun. Perhaps just thank her for the clarification and taking the time as you were a bit confused but it all makes perfect sense now, and oh by the way I really honestly enjoyed your class.
Really? I have about ten university professionals here that I’ve been wanting to write a thank-you letter to at the time of my graduation–people who I feel really impacted my life and went above and beyond the calling of their job. I was torn about whether I should do this – thinking they might think I was a freak or something. But you think it would really mean something to them?
Another question–would it be inappropriate to send a thank-you letter to anyone I am planning on asking for a graduate school recommendation? The two aren’t related, I just wouldn’t want there to be any confusion,them thinking I was sucking up before asking (six months later) for a recommendation.
Make sure that you ask for those letters of recommendation for grad school well before you drop off their radar as a student. If you have time, take more of their classes, do research under them, or just try to make a bit more time to get to know them as a professional in the field. Also, make sure they like you enough to write you a letter. After that’s done, a thank you note for the LORs will be appreciated; just make them sincere and a reflection of the professional relationship you have cultivated with these people.
I just went through submitting applications, and making sure people know you well enough to know that a thank-you from you is sincere is a big part of knowing they will go out of their way to help you. It also really helps to be involved in work with them on a one-on-one level at some point so they get a better idea of what kind of work you put out. Anyone who’s pleased with your work ethic and thinks you’ll be a good graduate student/professional in your field will write you a glowing LOR.
How about a note back to thr professor along the lines of “Thank you for taking the time to explain my grade. What you’ve told me makes sense. I also want to thank you for a very interesting class. (Etc.).”
I keep two e-mail files of student correspondence. One is called “Issues” and it’s where snippy, nasty, weird, and rude e-mails from students are stored. The other is called “High Points” and it’s where courteous, pleasant, or appropriate e-mails (including appropriate requests for grade clarification) and thank you notes go. I look at both of these files before I write a reference letter because I’m generally asked to address how the student has interacted with others.
The greatest satisfaction in being a professor is finding out that you “succeeded”- that is- you affected someone in a positive way. Perhaps they were nervous about your class and ended up loving it, or were able to squeak by on a required class and graduate becuase you helped them or just made a personal connection with a really nice student.
To hear from a student that I succeeded in some way is wonderful.
As far as the letter of reccomendation- don’t worry, as long as the note is not dripping with insincere compliments as you ask for a letter, your prof will not take it the wrong way (YMMV). I agree that you arrange for the letter sooner than later.
I agree that you don’t need to make a big deal about saying thank you, and that a simple thanks for clarifying the grade, along with an expression of how much you liked the class, would be fine.
As IvoryTowerDenizen notes, positive feedback is really nice, especially when it’s clear that the student is genuinely appreciative of your efforts. I’m not a professor yet, but as a grad student i do teach my own classes, on my own campus and at another college nearby, and it’s really great to know that you’ve made a difference to someone, even if only in a small way.
I think that you’re really reading too much into this. When I get a grade query from a student, I simply reply with an explanation and think nothing of it. It’s just part of the job, and there’s no lingering feelings of ingratitude on my part about the student. However, if it would make YOU feel better, by all means, send a note to the prof to thank her for her email reply and a nice course. I’m sure that it would be appreciated (but most likely forgotten by the time you next meet).
I think so too, but I can’t help but wonder why someone would take the extra time and explain to me why I should be really happy with my current grade. It just sounds like she’s a little upset, otherwise why would she write that?
I wouldn’t say that you appreciate her effort since that sounds patronizing and last I heard, you are the student (if I was the teacher and I got that, that’s the point where I’d get angry). But what you said before, “oh, I didn’t know that! Thank you!” would be nice.
The reason Harvard was able to reach me to send me an acceptance letter was that I had sent a thank you to the professors who had written recommendations for me - one of them gave the admissions office my current address. Never underestimate the power of courtesy. I got my acceptance letter a bit late - but I got it, and got to go to grad school there.
Additional note: never underestimate the power of the USPS to screw up your life. Mail forwarding order - HA!
