The other day, I heard a rumor from a friend who knows a friend whose uncle graduated in 1980 who had a pre-major advisor in admissions who also dabbled in the registrar office from time-to-time who told me a new perspective on the time assignments for final exams. Every semester, I find myself pondering why my exams are at specific times (the worst for me if I may add ((which I am going to since I’m writing this, and you are the reader) (fingers crossed on that whole having readers thing)). Well, in this new but really kinda old development, I heard that every year, there is an intradepartmental draft for desired final times that has uncanny parallels to the NBA draft. There may even be a lottery in order to determine which department gets priority. Looking at this year’s schedule, it’s quite clear how the draft must’ve played out for each department, since I am 100% certain that this is the way it happens 26% of the time. There are definitely a few bold picks and draft strategies I’d like to highlight.
After looking at the final time for STT 212, it is exactly what you would expect. Playing the odds is definitely a great strategy in the long run, but I am afraid it will probably not show a dramatic increase in class position from year to year. It is, however, a solid way to maintain said position and be a strong class in attendance year-in and year-out.
The boldest strategy has to be the move made by ECO 207. After weighing the costs and benefits of having a final exam, it appears that this class found it would gain maximum utility by calling it a semester on April 29. I think this move is to show how new students are treated in this department, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the administration sets forth new policies in years to come.
A shocker is how early a final time BIO 110, 111 and 113 were able to secure. With an enormous budget and incredible funding year-in and year-out, it is surprising that this Yankee-like department piggybacking off URMC was able to secure such a high pick.
A final note I’d like to touch upon is the ongoing protest by the Philosophy department. Apparently they feel that altering students’ summer fate by determining the final schedule with a lottery can be deemed unethical. I personally feel this protest stems from bad luck, but it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.
As I try and get in further contact with the original source, which may or may not exist, I wish you all the best of luck on finals.
Kuhrt is a member of
the class of 2017.
