Alright, I've been hearing that some colleges have pretty tough grading policies, and it's super hard to pull off an A. Can anyone list the 16 colleges where it's reportedly hardest to get an A? I want a challenging environment, but I also don't want my GPA to suffer drastically, so I think this information would be beneficial during my college selection process.
Certainly! Here's a list of the 16 schools where it's commonly known to be quite hard to get an A. Please note that this list is by no means conclusive and grading policies can vary by individual professors, departments and programs within each university.
1. Reed College
2. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
4. Princeton University
5. Harvey Mudd College
6. University of Chicago
7. Johns Hopkins University
8. Swarthmore College
9. University of California - Berkeley
10. Carnegie Mellon University
11. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
12. Boston University
13. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
14. Yale University
15. Cornell University
16. University of Virginia
Do be aware that this list is based on anecdotal evidence from students and professors, reputation, and media reports, as precisely quantifying how difficult it is to earn an A at a particular institution is nearly impossible, given variations in course structure and student body.
As a prospective student, it's key to remember that while a school may have a reputation for grade deflation, your individual classroom performance usually relies more on your effort, study habits, and aptitude in the subject most of all. A college's academic rigor should absolutely be a consideration in your decision making process, but don't forget to also weigh things like campus culture, resources for students, and opportunities for research or internships. If you're in the right environment, you'll be able to succeed, regardless of how generous (or not) the school is with giving out A's.
Good luck with your future endeavors!
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