Frequently Asked Questions: COVID Grading Options
Which grading options count toward the credit requirements and prerequisites for the B.S. in Commerce?
Courses completed for a grade of COVID CR/GC and a passing letter grade will count toward the 54-credit requirement and prerequisites needed for the B.S. in Commerce Program.
When submitting my application, what considerations should I bear in mind in order to make an informed decision about grading options?
The application review process is holistic, and every applicant is navigating an unusual set of circumstances brought on by changes in course delivery and activities due to the pandemic.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission guarantees students who take coursework for COVID CR/GC/NC will be fairly considered in the review. We have not and will not use a minimum GPA, the total number of classes taken on a COVID CR/GC/NC basis, or the nature of these classes (as in, whether it is a prerequisite course) as the sole determinant factors for admission.
The Admission Committee is interested in your academic performance, and grades provide more insight than credit/no credit. The Committee will not assume that a grade of CR means you did not put in as much effort or that you made a “C” in the class or any other grade. The Committee will simply assume that you have an average knowledge of the course material.
Check the impact of any decision as it relates to the Certified Public Accounting Examination or other future certifications, benefits, or other items that may require graded coursework for completion.
Can I provide context around my grading choices on the application?
Yes. You have an opportunity to give the Committee context around your grading choices—check out the sample application on our website to view these essay prompts.
Any final advice regarding grading options?
Prioritize your academics. The rigor in which you approach your classes should not change to accommodate the new grading policy. Once you make your decision, don’t worry about the choice you made—you can’t change it—and instead focus on staying healthy and doing your best.
We can’t tell you what to do. Everyone’s path is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all guidance. We can tell you that your application will be reviewed holistically by an Admission Committee that is aware of the ever-changing and difficult landscape that we are all attempting to traverse.
