If I don’t get a certain grade, I’ll no longer be eligible for a [ ]. Will you change my grade?

This is always a difficult thing to hear — but it will never convince or pressure me to change a mark.

I strongly believe that the requirements for scholarships and similar awards are there for a very good reason — they ensure that these honours are given to the top echelon of students. If I change your mark simply to help you make the cut, then that means I’m shutting out another student who did get the mark — and I’m not willing to do that.