Conversation 18

Listen to a conversation between a student and his counselor.

Lisle: Excuse me, Mrs. Morgan?

Counselor: Oh, hi…uh…Lisle, isn’t it? Come in, Lisle. I haven’t seen you in quite a while, have I? How can I help you?

L: Well…if you have a few minutes… I need you to help me sort out my credit hours. It’s kind of an, uh, an emergency.

C: OK, sit down. I’ve got a few minutes right now.

L: Thanks very much.

C: So, what’s the problem with your credit hours?

L: Well…um…I think I may not have the right ones. The ones I need to graduate, I mean.

C: What’s your major again? Business Management?

L: Yeah, it’s supposed to be. For Bus Ad, I still need to take Global Economics- EC 303- and, well, I’ve got room for it in my schedule but, erm…303’s got a prerequisite, which I, uh, I haven’t taken. EC 203, Econometrics.

C: Oh, that’s just great. How did you manage that, Lisle?

L: Not paying attention. I didn’t notice until now that I needed 303 to graduate, and didn’t notice before that I needed 203 before. Is there anything I can do now to fix this?

C: Well, I’m not sure. It’s possible that the dean would let you take them concurrently. It’s been done before, in extremis.

L: Well, that’s what I’m in- extremis. The last term before graduation and I’m stuck. Do you think he would, really?

C: It’s possible, if your grades are good enough and everything else is in order. Are they? Is it?

L: Oh, yeah! My GPA’s three point seven. And I’ve got all the other required credits, and then some- I’ve actually taken more electives than I need to.

C: Hmm. Too many electives and missed a prerequisite. Good work, Lisle.

L: Yeah, pretty dumb, eh?

C: OK, well- they’re both offered this term, I hope?

L: Oh yes. Global Economics is Tuesday-Thursdays at three pm and Econometrics is the same days at eleven in the morning. Those would work fine, except, uh….

C: Except what?

L: Except I’ve already signed up for the second half of my statistics course- Stats 202- at eleven.

C: Is that a required course?

L: No, but it’s highly recommended for business majors. And I really need that math. Math is my weak point, I’m afraid, and I’m going to use a lot of it if I go into finance like I want to.

C: Lisle, do you know what, um, Econometrics is?

L: Sure! Uh… I guess- what? It’s, uh, “measuring economies”- “econo-“ plus “-metrics”- isn’t it?

C: It’s math, Lisle. Statistics. It’s a course in the kinds of statistics used in business, finance, and economics.

L: Oh!… Oh… so maybe I don’t need Stats 202 then?

C: That’s right. Bus Ad makes sure you get the necessary math by requiring Econometrics. But- you’ve taken Statistics 201 already?

L: Yes.

C: Hmm. Listen- there may be another solution to this. The dean might accept Stats 201-202 in place of Econometrics.

L: Really? That’d be great!

C: He might. Anyway, I’m going to have to call his office about this- about both possibilities- right away. Let me just see what they say. If you had a choice, which option would it be?

L: Uh… well, unless they really want me to take Econometrics, I think it would be easier if I completed the second half of my statistics course. I mean, then I’d have the whole course under my belt. But whatever the dean wants- I’m happy to do whatever it takes to graduate on time.

C: OK, good. Well, with two options, he may be more amenable to exempting you from the prerequisite. Can you bring me a copy of your transcript later today?

L: I’ve got one right here, Mrs Morgan. Here you go.

C: Ah. Mmm. Yes. it does look good, Lisle- three point seven and a good scattering of ‘A’s, too! OK. I’ll arrange to see the dean as soon as I can- if not today, then tomorrow morning, I hope. And we’ll try to get this straightened out for you. Stop by tomorrow afternoon about three, will you?

L: Sure! And thanks. Thank you very much.

C: OK. And don’t worry too much. The dean can be quite flexible in a good cause. See you tomorrow, then.

L: Thanks so much, Mrs Morgan. See you tomorrow afternoon at three.