Cornell to Start Putting Median Grades of Classes on Transcripts

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Just a heads up, I found this on the AskEzra site. This applies only to Class of 2012 and beyond. I personally don't think it's necessary a bad idea as I know Dartmouth also does this.</p>

<p>In 1996, the University Faculty approved a resolution to post median grades on undergraduate transcripts for most courses. The legislation was intended to help with the grade inflation debate - whether Cornell had harder grading policies than other peer institutions, thereby putting students at a disadvantage. Faculty felt that displaying the median grade would portray a more accurate picture of the student's grade report.
Nice idea, but difficult to implement with an aging student information system. So in response to the resolution the Office of the University Registrar began publishing median grade reports. The reports were to be short lived because a new student system was going to be implemented that did have the capability of printing median grades on the transcript. Ten-plus years later the system is finally here. So, beginning with the class of 2012 (undergraduates entering this fall) median grades will be printed on transcripts, and the reports will no longer be posted on the web.</p>

2

<p>starting with the class of 2012, do they just mean this year for everyone or only those in class of 2012.. as in <2012 no median</p>

3

<p>No median for classes before 2012 on any transcripts.</p>

4

<p>Speaking as an employer, there is no way it will possibly hurt a Cornell applicant.</p>

5

<p>ooo so if ur not a freshman it doesn't apply!?!?! That's really good news! This is just NOT GOOD for some colleges. Not everyone is an engineer or premed...</p>

6

<p>What about 2012 transfer students entering as a sophomore? I assume this will also apply...</p>

7

<p>This sounds really nice to me, and definitely relieves some stress. Now as long as I can make at least the median, I will be considered average, which wouldn't be too bad at all in the COE.</p>

8

<p>Its not really a big deal - had this at Dartmouth. Didn't matter at all when it came to Job application time and getting into grad school.</p>

9

<p>Doesn't help when the Median is an B+</p>

10

<p>Of course it will help. As an employer reviewing transcripts, I loved to look at transcripts from Dartmouth and Columbia because they were so much more meaningful.</p>

<p>Professors, knowing that the median grade will be on all transcripts, will have to deal with less expectations of grade inflation for above average students. This allows for more room along the scale by which students can assessed. And don't kid yourself, if a professor feels that the vast majority of a class deserves an A, they will hand out those As.</p>

<p>And students, knowing that the median grade will be on all reports, will work harder and learn more. </p>

<p>Finally, employers will have a more definite idea of what they are getting in a student, making them more eager to hire Cornell students. A B+ where the median grade in the class is an A- is more meaningful to the the employer than a B+ where you have no idea what the median grade in the class might be -- for a lot of top schools, in a lot of upper-level courses, the median grade ends up being an A.</p>

<p>Use what you learned in Econ 101. More information can only help. Never hurt.</p>

11

<p>keep in mind that this applies to the entering fall class of 2008. those who came in 2007 but are graduating in 2012 will not have median grades on the transcripts</p>

12

<p>Why, is it THAT hard to implement the system for everyone?</p>

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<p>Cornell</a> University Registrar: About Median Grades</p>

<p>Cornell</a> University Registrar: Median Grades</p>

14

<p>this is only a good thing for those who fall above the median...</p>

<p>if you're a sub-avg student you're transcript will dictate that :(</p>

15

<p>they should start doing it NOW</p>