Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 May 6

= May 6 =

Does it matter if I got those credits in time?
If I log into my university account right now, it says that my class standing is a junior although I'm on my 4th year of college. The university recognizes a person with under 30 credits a freshman, over 30 a sophomore, over 60 a junior, and over 90 a senior. I will be over a 110 credits by the end of this semester and will be on track to graduate on time.

On thing that gets me down is the fact that I did not have 90 credits as a senior in college. So am therefore classified as a junior by UNF.

My biggest fear is personally, the feeling that I am held back or this is equated as flunking a grade or something to that extent. It's not a big deal in the job hiring process but I just feel like it's something that is wrong. And even though it's not something that can be felt physically, it is effecting me mentally. I feel like this will always follow me, and that my quality of life is being effected by it.

I am graduating on time, but is this the same thing as flunking a grade?

I don't want to sound psychotic, but I feel like, as a person; someone who achieved those credits in a proper timespan is better than me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.106.199.107 (talk) 01:46, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Whether the lack of credits and senior standing is a problem or not is something only your school can answer. Ask your guidance counselor or other school official.  RudolfRed (talk) 03:18, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * I can't speak to your university specifically, but at mine at least, what grade you were classified as at any given point in time isn't even shown on your transcript. It was really just used for internal purposes (e.g. priority for class registration), it didn't really have any official meaning at all.  I think it's extremely likely that this won't matter in the slightest. -Elmer Clark (talk) 04:18, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * I've wondered about this kind of thing too, so I asked the librarians I work with (they have Masters degrees from a variety of schools). My anecdotal conclusion is that, no, it doesn't matter in the slightest. No one is 'better' than you just for taking a larger course load. I took 4 years for a 2 year diploma: it didn't affect my standing or ability to get a job in any way. And I've never heard of an employer checking on it, at least in my field. Mingmingla (talk) 05:54, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Being kicked out of school is flunking. Anything else isn't, even double secret probation . Honestly, unless you're going on to more advanced degrees, I doubt if potential employers care much about your grades or how long it took you to obtain them. Nobody in the real world ever asked me about my GPA or school record. Certainly a lot of high profile people got away with blatant academic lies for years before anybody bothered to check. Clarityfiend (talk) 10:56, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Clairtyfiend, the Honorable Senator John "Bluto" Blutarsky denies any involvement in those matters.  Market St.⧏  ⧐ Diamond Way  11:34, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * If you really have these feelings to such a degree, it might be a good idea to seek counseling. Looie496 (talk) 14:36, 6 May 2013 (UTC)

TCM Database Selling Movies
Hello,

Don't you think that's it's a conflict of interest when the TCM Database, which describes and rates movies, is allowed to link to many, many movie titles on Wikipedia and then offer that title for sale? I would question the objectivity of those reviews. Also, doesn't that open a can of worms allowing for other websites to link to things that they sell? Personally, I think their links should be removed.

Thanks, Joe McLaughlin — Preceding unsigned comment added by Joemcphilly1960 (talk • contribs) 11:47, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * Your suggesting wikipedia remove TCM's links? Or TCM wikipedias? "Conflict of Interest" is a legal term more than a business term and we don't give legal advice here, but if you feel strongly that wikipedia is somehow assisting this I'd bring it up on those talk pages or perhaps the Film WikiProject talk page or a noticeboard.  Market St.⧏  ⧐ Diamond Way  11:58, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * There is nothing we can do to prevent TCM, or anybody else, from linking to our site. It isn't technically possible.  But even more than that:  with the license Wikipedia uses, TCM could actually, if they wanted to, make copies of our articles and place them on their own site.


 * I'm a little confused here.
 * If TCM has links from their site that point to Wikipedia - then since we assume that Wikipedia articles are unbiassed and free from WP:COI, doesn't that mean that TCM are trying to be unbiassed themselves by linking to unbiassed reporting?
 * If Wikipedia has links to TCM (who sell movies) - then, indeed, we should be highly skeptical about the independence of their reviews and should not rely on them as Reliable Sources for statements in our articles.
 * Which of these is our OP really asking about?
 * If it's the former, then I think that it's better for their readers that they link to us and it gets us more readers - both of which should be encouraged (not that we could stop them anyway!).
 * If it's the latter, then I agree that this is a dubious situation and this should probably be raised as an issue at the Reliable Sources Noticeboard so that we can take appropriate action.
 * SteveBaker (talk) 20:26, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * I don't find the second point a major problem. None of the TCM articles I've seen cited as references have been promotional in any way. Clarityfiend (talk) 21:29, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * This is the reference desk, we don't give armchair opinions, see the guidelines at the top of the page. μηδείς (talk) 23:05, 6 May 2013 (UTC)

has there ever been a murder in lake caroline va?
has there ever been a murder in lake caroline va — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:5B0:21FF:1EF0:0:0:0:3C (talk) 15:11, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Note: I've changed the section title -- "question" is not useful. Looie496 (talk) 15:20, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * I don't know of a specific case but says that the "Murder risk index" in that area is 45, where US average is 100.  If they'd never had a single murder, then I'd expect that the index would be zero.  Since the rape risk is way *above* average...there is clearly no shortage of violent behavior in the area. SteveBaker (talk) 20:00, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * This site says that the crime statistics show zero murders - but doesn't say over what period that data was collected, or how old it is. If the data reflects the time between 3 and 4am last Wednesday - then we wouldn't be surprised...but if it's over the last 100 years, we would be. SteveBaker (talk) 20:15, 6 May 2013 (UTC)

You may be thinking of this shooting at Lake Caroline Court, VA, but that's 50 miles away and the victim survived. EamonnPKeane (talk) 14:57, 9 May 2013 (UTC) http://wtvr.com/2013/05/01/judge-convicts-man-shot-after-domestic-dispute/

Pokemon Species by Popularity
Hey, all! So we all know that there are many (649) species of pokemon. In order of popularity, what would be, say, the top 20? For example, can someone find an official list, or perhaps see which one has the most hits on Google (the latter method may be inaccurate, and besides, there are 649 to look up...)? I ask because I can't find out for myself, due to my restricted network only allowing Wikipedia access (it's not here, either. Perhaps someone can create a list of this sort?). Thanks in advance! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.79.50.132 (talk) 18:01, 6 May 2013 (UTC)

UK private medical treatment
This is inspired by a recent comment on the Science desk. I have a friend who has a medical condition. Naturally, he knows better than to ask any questions here about the condition itself. However, the time to get it treated on the NHS would be measured in years rather than weeks, so he's thinking of getting it treated privately. However, he doesn't have medical insurance, and has never been involved in any way with the private medical system. What's the process for doing this? What's the first step in obtaining a private consultation? Tevildo (talk) 18:34, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * Here's what NHS Choices says on the matter: Do I need a GP referral for private treatment? -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 18:51, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * I would like to suggest that your friend goes through the usual NHS channels to test the delay theory. You use the word "would" which to me implies speculation. If a long delay is confirmed there is no reason why you can't see a specialist privately. Richard Avery (talk) 06:57, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the advice. My friend has made an appointment with his NHS GP (week after next, which doesn't bode well), and he'll mention the possibility of private treatement after his body part has been examined. Tevildo (talk) 22:01, 7 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Am I correct to assume that you can't actually just look up a private doctor and hire him without prior approval of the NHS? μηδείς (talk) 12:32, 8 May 2013 (UTC)
 * No, the NHS doesn't need to give approval, but the local GP, who presumably knows the patient's medical history, will probably be able to recommend a good private specialist, and will also probably know the waiting time for NHS treatment.   D b f i r s   18:51, 8 May 2013 (UTC)
 * If you're friend is thinking of getting private medical insurance to treat his condition, consider the possibility that some insurance companies will specifically exclude cover for pre-existing or chronic conditions. Astronaut (talk) 20:09, 10 May 2013 (UTC)

Housing for university student in Kawempe
Dear sir or madame I am inquiring about housing - a hostel near a university in Kawempe. I understand there is a 6 story hostel being built by a firm from Canada, called "Good Life Developments" Is this correct and how do I get information about renting a room?

thank you for your time Kathy — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.76.0.67 (talk) 18:54, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * May I assume you mean Kawempe, Uganda? --   Jack of Oz   [Talk]  21:42, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * This site lists student hostels and their contact details for Makerere University. If you're interested in a different university, let us know which one it is, and I'm sure we'll be able to find the information for it. Tevildo (talk) 21:44, 6 May 2013 (UTC)

Grading for a student who never went to class or took an exam
What is the typical policy of large US state and private colleges toward a student who registered for a class, but never attended the class or took an exam. Is the result more likely to be a failing grade recorded for the class, or a "drop" with no associated grade? Edison (talk) 19:37, 6 May 2013 (UTC)


 * You have to go through a whole process to drop a class. If you just don't show up or do any work, you fail. Adam Bishop (talk) 22:29, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * That's how it worked for me, but in Canada. Aced an English test, and was told I had no need for an English course. Didn't fill out any paperwork, just assumed I don't show up. End of the year, figured I could afford to half-ass a radio course and still pass the year (we were allowed to fail one). But combined with the English course, they flunked me. Down $15,000 on an oversight, but it was a blessing in disguise: Another two years, I'd have been unemployed with a journalism degree. If you really want to pass, I suggest making sure you've officially dropped every class you think you have. InedibleHulk (talk) 23:00, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * The official policy at my school is that if you are registered for a class, you WILL get a grade, even if you have dropped off the face of the Earth. However, exceptions are made when exceptions are due, like when someone has a mental breakdown, or is too sick to even sign a form. Someguy1221 (talk) 23:09, 6 May 2013 (UTC)
 * At one college I am familiar with, the department in charge of a course was encouraged to drop from the course any student who missed the first five days of classes, if the instructor reported the nonattendance. This drop would not result in a failing grade, and would allow a wait list student to add the class. Edison (talk) 00:11, 8 May 2013 (UTC)


 * One course I took in college, the grade was based entirely on the final paper. I showed up on the first day, received the syllabus, heard that the lectures would be done entirely as readings from the professor's book, bought the book, read it, attended the class in which I had to let the professor know what my paper would be on, turned in my paper, and got my grade.  There was no point in attending the classes.  RNealK (talk) 23:27, 8 May 2013 (UTC)


 * at my college such a student would get a "NW" grade for "no work submitted" and it would count as a dropped class (as opposed to "NG", no grade for someone who scored <10%) EamonnPKeane (talk) 14:53, 9 May 2013 (UTC)