Academic Rigor and Getting a Good Grade

Hoping to get some input from you all about this. I'm curious about which schools are known to be the hardest to get a good grade at. Here's hoping for some insight into the academic culture and any experiences you may have!

Certain schools do have reputations for being academically rigorous and challenging in terms of grading, although it's important to note that this can sometimes depend on the department or major.

One such school is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), renowned for its rigorous math and science curriculum and for having a high-pressure academic environment. Obtaining high grades isn't easy due to the nature and complexity of the topics students learn.

Another such school is the University of Chicago (UChicago), which has a reputation for having an intense academic culture where students, regardless of their majors, are expected to engage deeply with their coursework.

Harvard University is also known for its academic rigor, but it has been criticized in the past for grade inflation, so the degree of difficulty can be debatable.

Furthermore, the engineering programs at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Purdue University are renowned for their intense workload and the difficulty of maintaining a high GPA.

Lastly, Princeton University was known for its grade deflation policy which was in effect from 2004 to 2014. During this period, the university didn't allow more than 35% of grades in a class to be in the 'A' range. Although the policy has been discontinued, Princeton's academics are still rigorous.

Remember that while challenging coursework can mean it's harder to get high grades, these environments are typically designed to push their students to learn and grow at a high level. Growth and understanding are just as important as the final grade. Before choosing a college, it's a good idea to think about the type of academic environment in which you'll thrive and feel comfortable.

As you further your research, I recommend reaching out to current students at the colleges you're considering to hear direct experience about the academic culture. They can provide valuable insights into the workload, grading, and overall academic environment.