I got this email from a student yesterday in response to my post: https://cosmicpathways.org/2020/05/19/congratulations-you-got-straight-as/

All great thoughts, I have no answers:

Do you think people will look at this semester as tainted? If someone got straight A’s this semester it will not be viewed the same as getting straight A’s any other time.  I am not sure if that’s fair or not.  It makes sense because our entire world is in utter chaos and comparing grades amongst students is likely just looking at how greatly you were effected by the virus.  Because, sure, you could take Incomplete or P/NC, but if you are really really sick/caring for family/working because your family needs you to/etc, you might not know about these options because you frankly don’t have the time.  Did you know basically everyone I have talked to has not known what taking an Incomplete means…which isn’t good.  If they ever needed to take one they wouldn’t think of it as an option.  

I also think it will suck for people who really had a crap hand this semester (they were sick/family sick/lost people/moved home to bad situations/food insecurity) but still managed to get everything done, their A means more.  They had to overcome more.  But then it also comes down to a weird thing in education.  Many people feel that the grade you get is the grade you deserve, but what if you are at unequal playing fields?  Do we just say “life is unfair get used to it” or do we view it with greater compassion and understanding? By throwing out grades this semester you diminish people’s accomplishments and those “straight As” could improve their average, but if you don’t throw them away it puts people who’s lives were turned upside down at a severe disadvantage.  Ahhhhhhhhh

Grey Areas are interesting, I’m glad I am not an admission counselor.