Pushing for excellence and seeking some real challenge. Are there colleges that are notoriously known to be tough to score an 'A' in?
Absolutely, some colleges are definitely known to have a more rigorous academic environment. Please note that difficulty can vary widely between different majors within the same college, and professors of the same course can have different grading criteria. However, here are a few colleges reputed to be tough when it comes to grading:
1. Princeton University: Known for its infamous "grade deflation" policy, which was in effect until 2014, Princeton arguably still maintains rigorous standards. Many feel the grading continues to be harsh, especially in the STEM fields.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Given the highly technical and complex nature of most of its courses, MIT is considered tough to score an ‘A’ in.
3. Caltech: Similar to MIT, Caltech oriented towards STEM courses which can be challenging, resulting in what some students might perceive as harder grading.
4. UC Berkeley: Renowned for tough grading, Berkeley's large class sizes and rigorous courses demand a lot from students.
5. University of Chicago: This university takes its famous slogan "Where fun goes to die" to heart, with students noting the intense academic environment and rigorous grading.
Remember, most colleges aim to challenge students to ensure they are gaining deep knowledge and are prepared for future endeavors. Being passionate about your study area and working hard goes a long way.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.