How would you compare Wash U vs. Cornell vs. Penn vs. Rice vs. Tufts vs. Emory as far as academic pressure (intensity of atmosphere) is concerned? I’ve heard some schools grade on a curve and give out a limited number of A’s, some don’t. Some require you take 4 classes per term, some require you take 5 classes per term. I don’t know if any of these things contribute to academic pressure, but just wanted to hear thoughts.
First year Tufts students usually take 4 classes per term their first year. This is just word of mouth from me (future Tufts student) but from what I’ve heard Cornell is probably the most intense academically, with Rice, Wash U, and Emory (very rigorous for premed, though) being about equal and Penn having a bit more grade inflation than the others. They are all very challenging schools, though.
Also depends if you’re in the engineering school. My cousin in the e school at Tufts had zero free time from sophomore year on. My two friends in the schools of arts and sciences say grading is fair and that finals week is crazy but that have the free time to enjoy themselves. There is no grade inflation. Tufts students are not competitive with each other, rather with themselves.