Rigor of College Academics

Hey there, it's me again. I've been thinking about the academic climate in various universities. I heard some colleges are especially challenging when it comes to maintaining a good GPA. Do you guys know of any such universities that are notoriously harsh on grading or known for being very strenuous academically?

Absolutely, some colleges do have a reputation for being particularly academically rigorous or have a culture of grade deflation, where it's harder to earn an A. It's important to note, though, that this doesn't necessarily mean the quality of education is better, just that the grading may be stricter.

Princeton University was known for its grade deflation policy, where they attempted to limit the number of A's given in any course. However, they rescinded this policy in 2014. Despite the official policy change, some students report that the rigor of the grading standards continues.

The University of Chicago is another school commonly mentioned when people discuss rigorous academics. Known for its serious approach to academia, the courses tend to be very challenging and the grading can be strict.

MIT and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are two more schools known for their academic rigor, particularly in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Grading at these institutions can be quite competitive and maintaining a high GPA can be challenging.

Finally, many of the prestigious liberal arts colleges like Reed College and Swarthmore College have reputations for heavy workloads and high academic expectations.

Remember, a highly selective or academically rigorous school isn't right for everybody. It's important to choose a college where you feel you can thrive, rather than simply surviving your coursework.