Is there grade deflation at Hamilton college? How hard would it be to get a 4.0? I know at some colleges like Wellesley there’s grade deflation and at Harvey Mudd it’s hard to get a good GPA, so I was curious on how Hamilton compared to the rest of the liberal arts colleges.
So I’m putting your two threads together and guessing that you are deciding between Hamilton and Barnard, are wanting a 4.0 to get in to grad school.
Here’s the thing: a 4.0 in college is not like a 4.0 in HS, and it doesn’t have the same weight in grad school applications. A 3.75 or better will be good enough for absolutely any grad school in any direction- PhD / Law / Med / etc- when paired with the right score on the relevant admissions test, good LoRs and a good fit between your background and the program.
Between Hamilton and Barnard there is no meaningful difference in your ability to get into grad school- not in grading practices, academic calibre, prestige, contacts, etc. If you are thriving you will do your best work, if you do your best work you will be in your best position vis à vis grad school apps- and that’s all anybody can ever be!
They are such different experiences that you need to think about how you work- what environments suit you? when do you struggle? how will each environment play to your strengths and balance out your weaknesses? Trust yourself, trust your gut, commit- and then commit. When the rainy day comes (and it will, no matter which one you choose), remind yourself that there are rainy days everywhere, or to quote Ella Wilcox:
One ship sails East,
And another West,
By the self-same winds that blow,
'Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales,
That tells the way we go.
You are charting your course now, and with college acceptances like those, you are clearly ready and able! Take a deep breath- and sail 
@collegemom3717 Hi, thank you for your answer it was very helpful I’m a transfer student and I got accepted to Hamilton and rejected for Barnard (I applied for fin aid and was unaware that they’re need aware for transfers). I’m in a lucky position where I don’t need fin aid so right now I’m making the decision to stay at my current college to try transferring to Barnard again for spring semester or choosing Hamilton. I was just considering if I try for Barnard again (I have the right stats) because of it’s affiliation with Columbia and I know that Columbia has a great grad program for an masters degree in econ. Would getting a 3.75 have more weightage from Barnard or Hamilton when it comes to applying for grad schools? Specifically to Columbia?
IMO, not on it’s own: what you do during college will matter much more. If you like Hamilton, go.
The Columbia Master’s is very analytical, so as you probably know a double major with math, or at least a minor is recommended (you’ll want to have done multivariate calc and linear algebra anyway). Summer research positions (at least historically!) open for applications as early as December, and getting one from summer after first year will get you off to a good start- and Hamilton will help you do that.
I’m also a fan of dancing with the one who wants you. And, without wanting to be unkind, while FinAid may have made the difference in your transfer decision, if they had really wanted you they could have given you the aid you need.
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By standardized testing profile, you have gotten into a college that compares favorably to Barnard:
SAT Middle Range
Hamilton
1410–1510
Barnard
1360–1500
ACT Middle Range
Hamilton
32–34
Barnard
31–34
As an opinion, it might be counterproductive to your goals to continue pursuing Barnard considering the quality of your current acceptance.
With respect to grades at Hamilton, with time, effort and interest, you should expect some combination of A’s and B’s in your classes there.
Regarding Columbia, you should find it interesting that Forbes placed Columbia (the undergraduate college) and Hamilton adjacent to each other in this article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nataliesportelli/2017/04/26/10-expensive-colleges-worth-every-penny-2017/.
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Considering about 50% of Hamilton students make Dean’s List (3.5 or above) every semester I don’t think there’s grade deflation.
https://www.hamilton.edu/offices/registrar/deans-list/deans-list