How important is it to graduate with a distinction?

[themessygarden]

My daughter didn't get a great grade in one subject, (first term of her first year), which means she doesn't graduate with distinction (2024). All going well she will maintain her current GPA of 3.7.

I think she should repeat the subject she didn't do well in, as I guess she will do much better, so she can graduate with distinction, however my husband is saying it really doesn't matter whether she graduates with distinction and her GPA is fine, so he thinks she shouldn't bother redo the subject, she is torn but is leaning towards not retaking the class.

What would you think, is graduating with a distinction not worth the bother of retaking the class?

This is a UK based website so graduating with distinction will mean nothing to the majority of posters here. You would be better asking on a US based website where people will know the implications.

In the UK you can't repeat classes like that. If you fail a module you can re-take but the mark is then capped at the pass mark. Many will aim for a first but a 2:1 is also seen as very good.

I think you need to put it into context of what is her course major and would she be applying for Masters or PhDs in that subject or more like an MBA etc. Otherwise why resit? For example if it is an elective in English literature and she is majoring in Economics it would not be a major impact for job search.

I don't understand the American system, but I do know that once you've left university, or school, no-one ever asks you what grades you got. They might be interested in knowing you have a degree, or 3 A Levels etc, but for a lot of job options, the subject and grades aren't important.
Different if your degree is directly leading to a specific job - eg vet.

Thanks for the replies, yes, it's a US university in the UK.