<p>It's well known that Berkeley classes aren't a walk in the park, but could it really be the hardest university to get an 'A' in (specifically in engineering)? Given that Berkeley is ranked about 3rd in Engineering (under MIT and Stanford), I would think that it has the third smartest student body (there are exceptions, but in general people go to the best school they get into). But Stanford & MIT are well known for inflating grades (from what I hear 40-50% of grades are 'A's of any kind), and Berkeley only gives a handful of As (around 15% from what I hear). Surely even MIT's student body is not so much better than Cal's that thrice the number of people would get As if the class were the same difficulty. So then doesn't it follow that for any person a Berkeley course would be tougher to get an A in than a course at any other university?</p>
<p>Firstly, we will never know. Secondly, probably not. Thirdly, just because Berkeley engineering is ranked 3rd according to US News doesnt mean it has the 3rd "smartest" student body (whatever that even means).</p>
<p>You should also consider that at Stanford and MIT, their student body overall (<em>my</em> opinion) is much stronger academically, so even if they hand out more A's than Berkeley, they are competing among stronger students.</p>
<p>Supposedly, top privates are "easier" than publics, in part because of less competition at privates. The average GPA at privates tends to be higher and more students are in the honors program. Supposedly. (I forget Harvard's stats, but they were ridiculously high.)</p>
<p>Another thing to consider: MIT has many "cushions" for transitioning to college.</p>
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I forget Harvard's stats, but they were ridiculously high.
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Yeah, I know what you mean. 91% of Harvard undergrads graduate with honors. If that's not inflation...</p>
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MIT has many "cushions" for transitioning to college.
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</p>
<p>That's another thing to consider. In MIT, if I remember correctly, your first semester/year grades are essentially P/NP, and they won't show any bad grades on the transcripts they send out. With Berkeley you're subjected to the curve from the first exam.</p>
<p>i don't know about being the hardest university in the US to get an A in, because it can be very subjective, but I would say it's not easy to get an A here. You need to do work most of the times and in some classes you work your ass off only to end up with a B.</p>
<p>yup, got the message. My question would be, how hard do you have to work to get a GPA of 3.7+????? By this, I mean workload, study habits, homework, tutoring, etc. Equating this to social life, how much does working hard for a good GPA hinder interaction/involvement in the community???</p>
<p>If there's something I've learned from second semester of senior year, it's that your grades are 2/3 intelligence/knowledge and 1/3 work. If you go in as a top student and just do your work, I wouldn't be surprised if you do well. I have the feeling that college is where the boys are separated from the men - have you been squeaking out 90%s, or have you led the class with a 99? Due to the nature of the stanine curve, the 99s will get the As, and the 90s will get the Cs, and that's why I would guess that many people find it difficult.</p>
<p>at public schools in general you get much more apathetic kids than at privates, the curve tends to be less steep. At schools like stanford/mit there are <em>NO</em> slackers</p>
<p>well, i'm the kid in my class who gets the 99s so I guess it's just a matter of my work ethic. I really want to go to Haas and the admissions office places a lot of emphasis on GPA. It's like applying to college all over but this time you are in college....????....weird, LOL</p>
<p>i hope your appeal goes through. GO BEARS!!!</p>
<p>elsij....:</p>
<p>i agree, MIT and its likes have people who REALLY want to demonstrate their talents but it should be noted that these universities suffer from GRADE INFLATION... so most of the kids get As because the curve is in their favor.</p>
<p>i think the concept of grade inflation at top universities is somewhat over-hyped, i transferred from a state university to a top private and i can assure you, As are much, much more difficult to get here.</p>
<p>there have been statistics to support claims of grade inflation at some of the very top programs, like harvard, but those schools are doing things to combat it.</p>
<p>also, you have to consider, the average SAT score at top schools is extremely high, and the students are very hard workers, many of them deserve As, and in a lot of cases it is not fair to cap the class out at 15% As because not only does it hurt the appearance of students who <em>did</em> work very hard and <em>are</em> very smart when they go to get jobs, but in many cases more than 15% of the class actually does do A work.</p>
<p>I would have to agree to that. I have heard that a single point, in some cases, makes the difference between an A and a C in some classes midterms. The curve is so ridiculously skewed in some cases that it isn't even worth trying to get an A at Cal. </p>
<p>I personally strive for excellence but if that's the case at Cal, then how am I supposed to tell my future employer this??? Having a quota of As in a public school does damage the competitivity of the students once they apply to a top graduate school. It sure does improve the school's reputation and allows it to compete with the Ivies in terms of academic excellence but it does more damage than good.</p>
<p>Berkeley is an inferior school (at least at the undergraduate level) compared to the top privates. This is the only justification for the grade deflation -- the instructors have to rely on this to make the school appear to be more reputable.</p>
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I personally strive for excellence but if that's the case at Cal, then how am I supposed to tell my future employer this???
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You don't come here in the first place.</p>
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at public schools in general you get much more apathetic kids than at privates, the curve tends to be less steep. At schools like stanford/mit there are <em>NO</em> slackers
<p>it is disgusting to see how people scrutinize in the forums. I was speaking in future tense, so you know. Yes, I do not go Cal yet. However, I've spent plenty of time there and know several people who have told me of their experiences, especially in EECS. Dude, i stated in my very first post in this thread that I am an "incoming fresh[man]" and then followed up by saying that I "heard". My bad, for I guess I should have said "....I was told by current students..." </p>
<p>Now, addressing the "employer" comment. I am STILL speaking in future tense. Yes, I do work hard. It's scary to know that the curve is so skewed though, so if I end up getting a B average, or even a C average just because, and if you allow me to use your words just like you did with mine, "the instructors have to rely on [grade deflation] to make the schol appear to be more reputable." Once again, let me reformulate the comment with your comment added to it so that your limited understanding and comprehension can sufice.</p>
<p>...how am I supposed to tell my foture employer that "Berkeley is an if ferior school" that relies on grade deflation "to make the school appear to be more reputable." </p>
<p>Hope you get it this time. ;] Because that's what I meant to say. You seem to be trying to read between the lines TOO MUCH. So much, in fact, that you totally missed the "meat of the conversation". I'm not trying to misrepresent myself. That's obvious due to previous posts in THIS VERY SAME THREAD. So please, don't interrup a dynamic post with your "oh, you don't come here in the first place" bull sh1t.</p>