<p>It has been reported that 10% or less of Furman's students earn 'A's. Why is it so difficult for students to earn high grades? Premeds need high gpas and high MCATs. Is Furman the best place for a premed considering how competitive it is to be admitted to a medical school? What med schools do Furman grads typically feed into?</p>
<p>FWIW, this is similar to student grades at Willliam and Mary ( Admissions officer told Atlanta students in 2006 that in the prior year only 2 students graduated with A averages), Davidson and many other highly selective colleges and universities. While the Ivies are known in some quarters for grade inflation, the highly selective private schools in the South and East are not known for grade inflation-including Duke, Rhodes, UNC-CH. </p>
<p>Many medical schools want students that not only show aptitude through the MCAT's and GPA, but have a broader life experience and will therefore, be more able to adapt to the changing model of medical practice in the US. Research the difference between those schools ( generally with the "big names"- JHU, Ivies) which teach/practice "gentlemen's medicine" and those schools which truly prepare men and women to actually care for sick individuals. I think in the latter group you will find some flexibility in GPA's for an admitted class. Many medical schools located in the large state universities WANT students that have had a prior career-teacher, social worker, PT, etc and therefore have made the commitment to practice medicine for the "right reasons"- not just the income. </p>
<p>Having taught at a state medical school in the 1980's I can say there is a world of difference in the judgement and bedside manner of the "perfect GPA, high MCAT" student without a rich life experience and those who may have experienced another career.</p>
<p>That said,Furman is known for it's academic rigor -certainly throughout the South and I would say East Coast. I would be more concerned about rigor if everyone received an A than if there was a paucity of those that do. Grades truly should fall along the bell curve and a curve skewed to the right would not be congruent with the a school of strong rigor. Posters in another Furman thread are on the mark,IMO-call at least 5 medical schools you/child are looking at and see what they say. Good luck!</p>
<p>sometimes you have to parse their words carefully. For example, Harvard is known for grade inflation, but yet few students graduate with straight A's (4.0) in any year -- lots graduate with a 3.5-3.7. A better question to ask is what is the median gpa of last year's graduating class.</p>
<p>G-twins: Duke does indeed have grade inflation -- one of its professors started grade inflation.com :D</p>
<p>Check out some postings on another Furman thread, "Academics and Course Load." It addresses this topic also.</p>