Introduction: The finance project is done in stages corresponding to the lectures and readings.  The philosophy to learning finance is that a student hears it, he reads about it, and then he applies it.  Following are excuses as to why no part of the project was turned in at any time during the semester nor at the end of the semester.

My relative was kidnapped, held for randsom and murdered.   I am writing this letter to explain to you the reason why this project is late.  While I understand this lateness is inexcusable, I hope that you will consider this case individually.  The weekend before the midterm, I was informed by my parents that my relative was kidnapped and ransomed.  Obviously my entire family was very broken up about this situtation.  As a result, I flew home to be with my family and give support to my mother, my grandmother and my aunt's family hoping to fly back before the Thanksgiving vacation ended.  However, the situation got worse when my relative was murdered while we were out.  After the funeral and the flight back, the deadline had already passed for the Finance Project and during this time I did not get a chance to inform you of my situation.  I obviously was behind in all my classes when I returned.  I have done all that I possibly could for this Finance Project within this short time period that I have been back.

Comment: This individual never turned in a single part of his project prior to the midterm in November.  In fact, this individual showed up to class only 40% of the time.  Five of the 6 parts of the project were due prior to November.

I value learning over my grade.   I understand that this project is a week late, but I was faced with the decision of either handing it in on time and significantly incomplete or handing it in a week late and tryhing to complete as much as it as I could.  I opted for taking the extra week because I value learning over whatever grade I may get.  Unfortunately, I didn't get much time in the past week and the report is still missing a lot.  I'm not too concerned about the grade I get on this, I readily expect it to be very low.  What I'm more concerned about is what I learned from doing this project and I learned a lot.  If you want you can take the time to look over what I have, but I'd suggest instead that you spend the time you would have reading this with your kids, because again I got what I wanted out of this class and the grade is completely irrelevant to me.

Comment: This individual never turned in a single part of his project  or showed up for class except to take the midterm and the final.  You can guess what grade he received.

I demand that you accept this late project.   I understand that this project is two weeks late, but this is academia where students are allowed to turn in projects after the due date.  After all, I pay $30,000 per year and in fact my tuition goes to pay your salary.  You model your class after the real world of investment research but the "real world" differs from what you say it is.  Investment banking and equity research is not spending 60-80 hour weeks and not having a social life.  Also, there is flexibility as to when things are due.  I should know since my mother runs her own business.  Besides this, I don't need your class to get a job since I know people in firms and its all based on personality.

Comment: This individual was hired at a large investment banking firm notorious for hiring Wharton graduates.  NYU graduates, if accepted for a position, are required to intern but are not typically allowed full time status.  I'll be surprised if the hours are less than what this person envisions... a 40 hour work week.  Also, you don't need to take my course to get a job.  But... the door swings both ways.  You may need my course to keep your job.

I'm not going to make any because there aren't any.  But I really blew it
in your class this term.  And it's not only your class, but all of them.  I have been so worried about what to do next that I was paralyzed.  Frozen in the headlights, if you will. So I'm not 'behind the eight-ball', but flattened against the cushion.  I haven't done much of anything on the project since the opening weeks of class.  Oh, I would always think about doing something, but could then find a reason to put it off.  And now here it is, nearly due, and I am admitting I'm serious trouble.  Maybe you don't give a damn, and frankly, you shouldn't be sympathetic towards my laziness.  But I am asking for the chance to make up in some way to pass this class.  I'm not going to do a half-ass rush job because that shows nothing at all.  If there is some way of earning at least a C grade, that is all I would hope for.

I fully accept responsibility for my own action or lack thereof, so do what is right by you.

Comment: What do you think I gave this individual as a grade?  What garde would you give if you were the teacher?