Academic Pressure

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.