Hi Eric: My background is medical. I see hardworking students all the time. Some are very successful and others have to work even harder just to get by. Some don't make the cut at all. In some instances and professions, there just can't be room for too much variance due to the potential consequences of harm to patient, like, and limb. Basically, I feel, the required curriculum is there to be sure the student meets minimumn expectations. If the extra credit is important, it shouldn't be extra credit, and should be part of the required curriculum. Regards, Barry