Which universities have the harshest grading?

Hey all, I'm trying to figure out which universities have steeper grading curves or are notoriously tough graders. I've heard some schools can be really intense about grading, and I want to be aware of this in my decision-making process. Can anyone help me out?

Sure, happy to shed some light on that! Keep in mind, every institution, and even within them, every department or course, can have different grading standards. However, there are indeed universities with reputations for being stringent in grading.

Princeton University was previously notorious for its grade deflation policy enacted in 2004, where no more than 35% of undergraduate coursework grades in a department could be A's (including A-, A, and A+). However, this policy was officially ended in 2014, but the reputation for tougher grading persists.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is also known for its rigorous coursework and grading. MIT uses a 5-point weighted GPA system, which may appear harsher when compared to schools that use a 4-point scale.

The University of Chicago is also known for its rigorous academic standards and is often cited as having a more intense workload and stricter grading policies. They encourage intellectual exploration, but this sometimes comes with a more challenging grading scale.

Rice University is another institution that's known for rigorous grading, particularly in its pre-medical and engineering programs.

And it's not just limited to US universities. For example, University College London (UCL) in the UK is known for having a tough grading system compared to other UK universities, with few students achieving First Class Honours.

Remember, while "harsher" grading can seem intimidating, it also means these schools often have rigorous academic standards that can prepare you well for future academic or professional pursuits. It's important to balance this consideration with other factors such as fit, opportunities, and resources when choosing a university.