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Everyone has been putting their two cents about GPA so here’s mine as a first-gen student & tutor of a diverse set of students: GPA 100% does not accurately represent a student’s potential to succeed or their learning capabilities. *abro hilo*
Personally, I have a GPA that probably opened some doors for me when applying for grad school. I only believe it was possible for me to maintain this GPA because I have a scholarship that pays for literally everything & a simple (boring) personal life.
I didn’t have a job while taking classes the first few semesters. I was fully committed to my studies. Apart from that, I’m lucky enough to not suffer from testing anxiety. This isn’t the case for many others.
I’ve tutored students who are absolutely brilliant and teach me a thing or two whose test scores were always below avg. They were absolutely NOT below average students, they were GREAT. They describe to me that their brains go blank and it’s like all their hard work is useless.
Being that I don’t think GPA is important, I always remind them that the point of taking these classes is to learn the information, which they have, as proven through our sessions together.
What is troubling is that many pre-med students only care more about finding shortcuts that lead to higher test scores rather than taking time to understand the information. And it “pays off” in terms of GPA but is this what we want for our future STEM leaders?
GPA barriers are not ensuring good science, they are ensuring access to resources. That’s why I’m proud that I work for the school’s tutoring center that is free for students (aka paid for via tuition). I used it as a freshman since I couldn’t afford anything else and loved it!
There’s this “study” program in my college town that has a $50/month subscription for packets of helpful shortcuts. Many times the info is directed towards specific professors question styles. I have sooooooooo many issues with this service.
First of all, it’s only for those that can afford it!!!! Second, it does not emphasize understanding, it only cares that you can answer a problem template correctly!! Third, they get a lot of information wrong and confuse my students!!!! They suck!!!!!!
I have students that ask all the important questions, are invested in understanding the material, but have exxteeennnsiveee personal problems/jobs/LIVES. Some of them describe to me everything that they do and I just wonder how they can fit it all.
Regardless, these are usually the students who care the most about understanding. Other students only want me to tell them some secret shortcut to get questions right. They always have the study packets.
I think a lot of times, first-gen students truly value their education more than others. Growing up poor, I remember learning that you had to pay for uni. I automatically figured if you had enough money you got in and if you didn’t then you didn’t.
That sentiment is absolutely true but it’s hidden between the lines. Actually it’s lazily swept under the rug and it’s painfully obvious. There are sooooo many barriers for so many people. Life is hard!!! Surviving is financially and mentally exhausting!!
Ok I think I said what I needed to say & a lil extra. Moral of the story: GPA is useless. *fin*
