<p>I have read a lot about certain schools being known for "grade deflation". I have to admit, I do not fully understand the concept of grade deflation and why a college would want to practice it. What is the benefit to the school? Also, how exactly does it work? I have heard colleges say they don't practice it and that students that get bad grades will call it grade deflation when it is actually a reflection on the student, not the college. In other words, it is a myth according to some of these schools. It seems like an important issue to understand while evaluating schools and I would appreciate any feedback on myth vs. reality. Thanks!</p>
<p>Schools implement grade deflation to counteract a reputation for high grades. If a school has this reputation, a 4.0 doesn’t mean as much as it could.</p>
<p>no, that is the opposite. That is grade inflation.</p>
<p>Grade deflation is when the grades of a school’s students under-represent their abilities, skills, and talents.</p>
<p>It is often confused with students b1tching about how they never get the grades they think they deserve.</p>
<p>silver got it right, though I would reword it a bit:</p>
<p>Schools implement grade deflation to counteract previous grade inflation.</p>
<p>Schools with a constant average campus-wide GPA over many years are sometimes (and erroneously) given the deflation label.</p>
<p>oh, i see. my bad.</p>
<p>point still stands, though</p>
<p>lets not get into details, but if we can compile a list of schools (rumored) to have deflation, that’d be great.</p>
<p>so far I only heard of BU. any more?</p>
<p>Reed has had a constant campus-wide GPA of 3.1 for over 20 years.</p>
<p>Princeton does it and so does davidson</p>
<p>University of Chicago
McGill University
University of Toronto</p>
<p>Chicago does NOT practice grade deflation.</p>
<p>See the post by newmassdad on this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061732451-post17.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1061732451-post17.html</a></p>
<p>Bringing this back to the original question of why grade deflation is used, let me ask a naive question. If a college sets its curriculum, and the students at that school are exceptional, study hard, and earn good grades as a result of their efforts, that school might be labeled as having grade inflation? It seems like a very ambigious thing to measure, especially at the top schools where most students may be capable of consistent good grades. I would think an A should be an A and an F should be an F, regardless of school. What am I missing?</p>
<p>It is an important issue for us in the selection process because you read things about certain schools practicing it and it could impact a students decision. Thanks for any feedback</p>
<p>Grade inflation has been a problem over the years. princeton does have grade deflation and according to my understanding the administration tells the faculty to grade tough so the number of As per department is roughly 32%. However don’t confuse this with a down-curve. If you do A work you will be given an A. the deflation at princeton is just an effort to keep the number of As down since the number has been increasing.</p>
<p>I honestly don’t know the details. i’ve heard some current students complain it makes classes tougher and some say they don’t notice it at all.</p>
<p>it doesn’t seem to be hurting the kids when they go out into the real world or grad school. and the school has started a campaign so grad schools and recruiters know the circumstances.</p>
<p>yeah I really don’t see how grade deflation can hurt a student, makes them work harder for that A than students at other schools :)</p>
<p>32% making an A is grade deflation? Princeton’s idea of deflation is different than mine.</p>