<p>How serious is grade deflation still at BU? I read many articles for 2004/2006, but is this process still rampant at BU? This is seriously a turnoff since I am interested in pursuing graduate school, hopefully at a top school. Do students often experience this and does this seriously affect your chances at job offers, etc? I heard grade deflation is detrimental at SMG, so obtaining internships seems even more difficult with the easy "A"s at other schools. Anyone care to comment? I am still 100% going to attend BU regardless of the comments.</p>
<p>If it exists, I’ve never experienced it. I’m a CAS freshman, but I got straight A’s first semester with little problem, and I’m heading for close to a repeat of that performance after this semester. You’ve just got to check websites for rating professors and make sure you get good ones.</p>
<p>Did you look through the threads here? This topic has been covered in great detail.</p>
<p>The latest bit of nonsense is that kids confuse grading on a curve with grade deflation. Some departments and some professors choose to grade on curves. How they set them is their business.</p>
<p>The average GPA at BU is normal for a school. It isn’t low. Back in the 90’s, grades were going up rapidly and BU, like many schools, decided to slow grade inflation. In the popular mind - meaning ignorant (sorry) high school kids - that became grade deflation. A number of schools are hit with this. </p>
<p>Kids are ignorant (sorry again). They think grades are always high B and A. The old GPA in college was closer to a C. It inflated rapidly toward B. In most schools, BU included, it is now between a B and a B+. </p>
<p>At this point, some ignorant (sorry yet again) high school kid will say, “What about Harvard?” Kids from Harvard do get higher grades. They have rampant grade inflation. Princeton doesn’t, btw, and they do just fine getting into grad schools. The reason: they score better. They get top scores on standardized tests. That’s the difference. By the measure of law school admissions, one can argue Harvard & Yale are grading low because their student applicants score that much higher on the LSAT on average. (I think the reliance on the LSAT is sad, but that’s another issue.)</p>
<p>Kids are ignorant (sorry again). They somehow believe that graduate schools are stupid. That they have no information about the relative grade levels of various schools. Think about that. There are many thousands of high schools in the country and colleges still have a reasonably good idea about which ones are good. There are many fewer colleges and somehow the grad schools aren’t bright enough to understand basics like average GPA’s, reputation of a department, etc. </p>
<p>Now imagine you go to a school with really inflated grades. Not Harvard. You do pretty well, meaning you do average for the school. Which candidate is more impressive, the one who performed average or the one who outperformed the school’s average? (This is not a trick question.)</p>
<p>But does the diploma or transcript label the class average for a better comparison? I now know that grad school admission should not be too much of a problem, but rather getting internships and jobs. If I am competing against someone ah northeastern, my 3.3 at first glance cannot compare to their 3.6, assuming they Are about equal. Most firms have immediate cutoffs regardless of whether or not they know bu has grade deflation</p>
<p>Why do you think a 3.3 at BU is equal to a 3.6 at Northeastern? Hint: they are not the same.</p>
<p>Cause of the ‘surefire’ grade deflation at bu, while the obvious inflated grade at ne?</p>
<p>I guess I’m in agreement with lergnom in his/her assessment of the OP’s obsession with grade deflation. As a high school senior, how do you know NU has “obviously” inflated grades?</p>
<p>By the way, you will not be competing with Northeastern students for internships. They will have their own coop jobs.</p>
<p>I guess nobody else is worried about the B’s given to students who provide A effort/results. It’s fine, end of thread. Will still be attending BU this fall :)</p>
<p>you know what else is ignorant? generalizations ;)</p>
<p>“Back in the 90’s, grades were going up rapidly and BU, like many schools, decided to slow grade inflation.”</p>
<p>by ‘deciding to slow inflation’, do u mean begin to practice deflation?..how is students getting the grades they deserve ‘inflation’?</p>
<p>^versii, i’m right there with ya. we will just have to try as hard as we can come the fall :]</p>
<p>hahas, thanks thisgirl. sounds fun trying to beat the statistics or even the odds of falling like everyone else. was literally a hundred percent sure i was going to drop my deposit, until i ran into these series of incidents. too late, even a 3.3 fate can’t convince me not to attend. the campus is too attractive! :)</p>
<p>That’s the point kiddos! You go to the best school you can get into, try your best and the GPA will take care of itself!</p>
<p>If Harvard or other schools are grade inflated to an A, and BU is grade deflated, wouldn’t the BU candidate be more prepared for graduate school despite the less prestige idea?</p>
<p>I was wondering since 3.3 BU is 3.6 at Northeastern.</p>
<p>No, my example was from thin air, comparing a grade deflated to a “standard” inflated school. Those numbers are not exact nor true. But if you’re a busy HR person or from a local/small firm glancing through resumes, wouldn’t the immediate 3.6 outweigh a 3.3 on the spot? Obviously larger companies/graduate school programs know the deal with grades at BU, but what about the rest? That’s all I’m worried about, the first initial glance. Since BU and NEU are on par, the glance might make all the difference in the world.</p>
<p>Guys, I’m done with the thread. This will not affect my decision at all and will probably be an advantage because it will be the opportunity to separate yourself from the rest of the pack. Graduating with 3.7 at SMG will gain you Summa Cum Laude, which is prestigious enough compared to 4.0 cut off Summa Cum Laude at other schools.</p>
<p>Versii, in case you’re curious, the cut off for this year’s SMG seniors is:</p>
<p>Summa Cum Laude: 3.67 - 4.00
Magna Cum Laude: 3.52 - 3.66
Cum Laude: 3.36 - 3.51</p>
<p>Yup, I saw that Hanita, thanks. Surprising results? Definitely. Doable? Definitely. So excited to dorm in Warren, assuming I get it! SMG floor hopefully.</p>
<p>Totally doable if you have your priorities straight. </p>
<p>I’m so excited for you!!!</p>