<p>Okay, I am going to be a freshman @ Boston University next year.
There is a MAJOR, HUGE, ENORMOUS grade deflation problem here.</p>
<p>I seriously think we have to work harder than the Harvard kids across the river to get our grades (The dean even said so...lol) . The Harvard kids, once they're in, the grade inflation takes care of them. And they graduate w/ honors and sky-high GPAs (a couple of years ago, 90% graduated w/ Latin Honors!!! Eek!)</p>
<p>I am on an awesome scholarsip at BU. Therefore, I don't want to leave because I probably can't get a better deal anywhere else. </p>
<p>I want to go to med school, but I know my GPA will be lower than, say (and this is an EXAMPLE, not an ATTACK!), a student who graduated from a lesser-known, Southern, laid-back school without grade deflation problems.</p>
<p>I know MCATs certainly counts, but your overall appeal decreases w/ a lower GPA--- arghhhhhh! </p>
<p>There are just TOO many schools in the USA for AdComs to adequately factor in grade deflation, etc. </p>
<p>BOTTOM LINE: BU is REALLY HARD and it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get straight As. The grade deflation is an absolute KILLEr!</p>
<p>SHOULD I SWITCH SCHOOLS OR SOMETHING???!?!
I am soooo worried about this ;( Please write back, thanks!</p>
<p>Plus you don't need a 4.0 to get into med school. A 3.6 or 3.7 works for most. If you haven't gone there you really don't know. It may just be hyped up. You may find it easy and excel. There are tons of unknowns since you haven't gone there.</p>
<p>Um. Norcalguy, how do you think I got a full ride to BU without working hard?????!!!?? I'm certainly prepared to work hard, but what I am saying is, 3.6-4.0 is VERY rare at bu.</p>
<p>Unless you have been you can't say how hard it is. Maybe you will just be better then everyone and do it. I bet you do get the 3.6+ if you work hard, as opposed to those who say they work hard and in reality don't, then complain.</p>
<p>yea man dont freak out just yet. People say that getting a 3.5+ at Michigan (where im going) is EXTREMELY hard too (i think only 15% of the students get it) and its really hard for premeds but u gotta realize this is college, step it up...itll be hard for all of us, me 2 cause i maybe in the same boat as u. Just wait and see. If after your first semester at Boston u realize u just cant maintain a 3.5+ then transfer</p>
<p>good idea umadarr..although i will be sad to lose my scholarship, it may be better than having no future. (A stretch, but you know what I mean...)</p>
<p>No matter how tough BU is, I'm sure it couldn't be tougher than medical school. And so if you can't handle BU's workload, how can you move on to the next level?</p>
<p>It also depends on what you mean by grade deflation. If the professors intentionally curve downwards to lower the grades, then yes, that would be pretty bad.</p>
<p>But if you mean that BU is tough because the courses are challenging, then that should only improve your preparation for the MCAT (resulting in a higher score) and your overall prep for medical school.</p>
<p>I think it would be wise to try and meet the challenge rather than looking for the easy way out. Especially if you have a scholarship that pays for everything!</p>
<p>Where did that 3.29 figure come from? Is that an average of all the colleges of the univ.? It really is quite high considering that BU doesn't have A+'s.
But yes, I agree with impactangel.</p>
<p>Another thought. A BU 3.2 and decent MCAT will probably get you into med school. Perhaps not the med school you would choose, but med school just the same.</p>