AUCians Demand their Chocolate

By: Judith Uttendorfer

Students who ask me for recommendations for professors for coming semesters, nearly always include an “easy A” clause in their query. As soon as I say the professor is an amazing teacher and that they will learn a lot, but end up with a B+ instead of an A, they lose all interest.

 

And don’t get me wrong, I understand where that concern is coming from. To get into those Master’s programs or to be accepted for one of those competitive jobs, a high GPA is an advantage.

 

But an easy A is not just an easy A. What AUCians usually mean by an easy A is doing no work, putting no effort, and learning nothing, but getting straight As anyway.

 

But if that is the goal of studying at AUC then why even go to the university that is supposed to have the best education in Egypt? If the goal is not to benefit from that education but to graduate with as many As as possible, then why pay all this money, instead of visiting any of the other universities?

 

Some of my favorite professors have earned the distinction of strong “avoids” on notorious student-run websites. They are marked avoid because they don’t give As if they don’t see any effort put in. And because they expect their students to submit the work listed on the syllabus. And because you actually have to study and learn, to receive a fair grade.

 

And a fair grade is the whole point, one presumes.

 

As are not like chocolates that are given out as presents when you say “pretty please”.

 

As are supposed to be for the very best of the best; they stand for excellence. An A requires extraordinary work, extraordinary performance. How many of us can really call themselves excellent? And not just slightly above average (B) or just average (C)? 

 

And the worst part of this all is that once we get into the Master’s programs or the dream jobs we aspire to because of our GPAs, we realize that we never stopped to think about what happens after we’re there.

 

We never stopped to realize that we never acquired the knowledge necessary to excel at places where As are not given out like chocolate. And suddenly our grades drop, and we find ourselves at the bottom of the class – embarrassed and humiliated. Surprised?

 

After all, we’re straight A students, right?