Re: UCLA physics course (non-rant)

[Joel Rauber <Joel_Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>]

I'm not quite sure of what Ray's point is below:
I basically agree with what you say; but, if you are trying to say that we
shouldn't worry about grades because they are irrelevant; I don't think you
make the point.  (If you are not trying to say that, then as Emily Latella
would say "Never Mind").  You make the point yourself, when you mention
there importance for the entry level position.  I think the reason is
obvious, for that entry level position your grades are essentially your
record of your performance before hand. 5 years later, ten years later there
is a much more recent and germane record of your abilities and performance,
namely your record on the job.  So of course, the grades become less
relevant.  I'd say this is all as it should be.  But I take grades seriously
because that are a record that should mean what the purport to mean and to
do otherwise in a grading policy is to commit legerdemain.  As a sub-note,
those who review transcripts for whatever purpose shouldn't take them to
mean more than they mean, which is an academic record of some 4 odd years of
college and ancillary implications, and that's all it is.

Joel


> Re grades: Think about this...Once a student gets admitted to college,
> any college, even a community college, no one ever cares about his/her
> high school grades. Four years of trauma, anxiety, angst and with one
> letter of acceptance it's all gone.
>
> Then, if the student does not go on to post grad, he/she applies for a
> job. I wonder how many job applications contain a space for
> college GPA?
> But never-the-less, once our graduate gets hired, no one ever
> asks about
> his/her GPA again.
>
> But say they go onto Grad School? Ah Ha, there GPA counts...until you
> get your post grad degree.
>
> After the first job no one every asks about your GPA.
>
> I do have to admit that the GPA is the entry to each level but once in
> it appears to be forgotten.
>
> Ray Rogoway
>
> --
> The woods are lovely, dark, and deep
> And I have no more papers in a heap
> And in the morning I can sleep
> And stroll in those woods so dark and deep.
>     r. frosted