March 23 Update

Dear McCourt students,

Hope you are staying safe and healthy! As you are settling into our new virtual learning environment, we wanted to address a number of questions about the Academic Flexibilities email sent by Barbara Schone on Friday, March 15 at 10:15PM (see below).

We have put together some FAQs about the new policies regarding the pass/fail grading option and withdrawal from classes deadline extension. Please note we are waiting on some additional guidance and instructions from the Graduate School and Registrar’s Office by the end of the week, so this information may change and/or not be complete at this time. We will let you know as soon as we receive it.

If I take a course Pass/Fail, will it count towards my degree or will I need to take it another time?

Yes, if you take a course Pass/Fail and you pass the class, the course will still count towards your degree requirements. You will not need to retake the class at any point as long as you pass. If you fail, you will have to re-take (core classes) or replace (elective classes) the failed class.

If I am on probation (currently I have a GPA < 3.0), how will taking classes Pass/Fail affect me?

Courses that are taken Pass/Fail do not impact the GPA calculation. The implication is that you will not be able to raise your GPA if you take all your classes Pass/Fail. If you are on probation and are deciding whether to take classes Pass/Fail, please speak to Director of Academic Affairs Nirmala Fernandes (nf168@georgetown.edu) before making a decision.

If I choose to withdraw from a class how will that affect my tuition and my transcript?

If you choose to withdraw from a class there will be a “W” notated on your transcript for the class per University policy. You will not receive a tuition refund because it is past the date for tuition refunds to be granted. If you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa, choosing to withdraw will impact your visa status and will need OGS approval. Please speak to Director of Academic Affairs Nirmala Fernandes (nf168@georgetown.edu) for all withdrawals.

When do I have to decide on taking courses Pass/Fail? Do I need to decide at the same time for all of my course?

You do not need to make a decision at this time, you have until the last day of classes on April 28 at 12:00pm EST to make your decision. You do not have to make the decision for all of your courses at one time. NOTE: We are still waiting for instructions from the Registrar’s Office regarding how to choose the Pass/Fail.

Can I switch back and forth between taking a class for a letter grade or taking it Pass/Fail?

No, it’s not possible to go back and forth between the two options, so please take the time you need to make this decision, consulting with Director of Academic Affairs Nirmala Fernandes (nf168@georgetown.edu) if you have questions.

Can I take Consortium courses pass/fail?

This will depend on whether the school at which you are taking the class, allows you the option for change from a letter grade to a pass/fail at this time. Since the grade from a Consortium class does not impact your cumulative GPA, you may be better off sticking with the letter grade option for a Consortium class.

What grade is considered a passing grade?

You must earn a C or above in order to get a passing grade and receive credit for a class taken pass/fail. However, you are advised to aim for a B or higher to allow for some wiggle room in your predictions of your final grade. The pass/fail option is risky if you are unsure of your standing in a course.

How should I make this decision?

We advise you to wait a couple of weeks as you get settled into virtual instruction. Then, make a judgment call after you get into the routine of instructional continuity. The pass/fail option is geared particularly towards students for whom the online format is not ideal. It is a way to help students who may otherwise struggle, given the change in course format from in-person to online. If you are doing well in the course and with the new online format, then the chance to boost your cumulative GPA by taking the course for a letter grade, is a strong one. If you are considering further graduate education, you may want to choose the graded option as schools may look at the McCourt graduate GPA in making their admissions decisions. If you need help weighing the pros and cons, reach out to Director of Academic Affairs Nirmala Fernandes (nf168@georgetown.edu)

How will it show up on my transcript?

A passing grade will show up on the transcript as an S for “satisfactory”, while grades equivalent to a C- or lower will receive a U for “unsatisfactory”. Neither the S nor the U will affect your QPI (GPA), but you will only receive credit if you earn an “S” (passing grade). Please keep in mind that although a U may not necessarily indicate the equivalent of an F, the Graduate School and McCourt will consider it a failing grade in our review of academic standards and final grades.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to me, Nirmala, and/or your Faculty Directors.

Best,

Leslie