<p>As my high school graduation nears, I've began to broaden my scope and examine career possibilities. Nothing too specific, of course, as I am still appreciating life at 17.
My question is this: I am currently interested in law, and assuming my interest does not wane over the next four years (quite the assumption, I know), law school would undoubtedly be the next step.
Tulane prides itself on "academic rigor", and students have posted explaining that teachers do not go easy on their pupils. Does this translate to grade-deflation? Certain schools are known for producing well educated students with lower GPAs (i.e 3.2 rather than 3.6). Tragically, law schools don't recognize this increased difficulty, and are highly based on GPA.
On the other hand, schools like Harvard, Standford, and Princeton are known for grade inflation to better undergrads' chances of acceptance to professional schools.
Where does Tulane fall?
I appreciate any honest answers, as this is the sort of question I could not ask the dean when we met.</p>
<p>Ballboy, I did hear a stat awhile back, and I'm a little fuzzy, but I think you should check into it. There is a service on campus for students who apply to graduate programs such as medical and law. I think I heard that around 60+% of the students using the service are accepted into a program. One thing Tulane does not do that a lot of other top schools do is prescreen their students and only recommend the ones they think will get accepted into top medical or law programs in order to have such high acceptance rates. Receiving a degree from some institutions does not translate into a recommendation from the institution. Definitely check with the center that offers this service and find out from them. I have always found Tulane to be very up front about such matters.</p>
<p>In order to clarify; are you saying that you earn the grade you deserve at Tulane, or are you gently telling me that there may be some deflation?</p>
<p>I'll gently tell you that you will appreciate the academic rigor when it comes time to take the LSAT brcause that is the first thing law sholls care about. You will then appreciate it even more when you go to take the law boards.</p>
<p>Don't worry about your grades worry about how much you learn and the grades will take care of themselves.</p>
<p>The average GPA at Tulane is just under 3.0. Tulane tends to be lenient in admitting its undergraduates into grad programs such as law, business, and medicine. That's not inflation. Don't think in terms of what the average GPA is. A school that inflates too much will only ensure that you are underqualified for whatever LS you get into.</p>
<p>I agree with patuxent and rico. College is about learning. Five years after you graduate, your employers won't care about your gpa or class rank. They will, however, care about what you bring to the table and how you improve the bottom line - even law firms. The most important thing you bring from college is a heightened sense of curiosity and the ability to design solutions on your own - whether it's an engineered product or a tactical approach in a legal case.</p>
<p>And, in the case of Tulane being lenient on admitting it's own undergrads into grad programs, they know what they're getting. They know that their programs are rigorous and the undergrads are ready to move on.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I have never cared for gradebooks and laminated performance cards, I want a school that inspires my intellectual expansion. My question was raised because I went to the CC law school forum, and saw an abundance of posts about the importance of GPA. Some law students said it isn't even worth it to go to a school that churns out low GPA's, because law degrees are what make or break a lawyer as he/she enters the real world (not undergraduate degrees).
So unfortunately, knowing that I will become "smarter" at Tulane isn't enough for me, because I will push myself wherever I am and apparently GPA is a very big deal to these law students.
I do not mean to come off as snippy or anything, but this is the first time I've ever thought about things this way and it is frustrating.</p>
<p>Ballboy, as the moderator of the law school forum, you are correct that the most common advice given for admission into law school is have a high GPA and a great LSAT score. But, you have to analyzie that within the context of where you want to go to law school, and what you want out of the experience upon graduation. Are you concerned with getting into a top-10 school? If so, then high GPA/high LSAT is a must. But, I am not so sure that "grade inflation" spoken of at the Ivies is indeed real. Go read my post about the difference between norm-based tests and criteria based exams.</p>
<p>I cannot speak for all students at Tulane, but my son is taking a very challenging first years course load: bio, chem, physic, adv. Spanish, etc. He works hrad for his grades (as I would expect he would and should), but his effort is rewarded with the grades he has earned (and grades that would serve you well in your quest for a seat in a good law school).</p>