<p>Hello all. The more I wander about the CC community/forum, the more questions I find myself asking. The latest- grade inflation and deflation. </p>
<p>Now, I have heard the term "grade inflation" and "grade deflation" thrown about here in the months I have been on CC, but never really paid them much heed. But recently, I see it mentioned more and more (it might be due to the upcoming decision phase of college admissions, where students decide where to go?), and I realized maybe I should hear someone's take on it. </p>
<p>Anyhow, what is (formally) grade inflation or deflation (I don't want to assume, so I figure ignorance is the way to go)? Also, where does either occur? Does it merit worry? </p>
<p>I have heard that inflation/deflation is causing a shift for undergrad students in various schools that seek to enter grad/law/medical school, so I assume it is a somewhat problematic situation?</p>
<p>Grade deflation is bull. Students who claim it feel entitled to an A or A- because that is what the got in high school with minimum effort. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, professional and grad schools know which schools are known for grade deflation, so its impact upon applications to grad and professional schools may be minimal. Go some place you’ll be happy and do your best work. How can you ask any more than that from yourself?</p>
<p>@TomSrOfBoston </p>
<p>Really? What about grade inflation, is that the same story?</p>
<p>@jkeil911 </p>
<p>I’m not asking because of any worries or anything, I find myself doing quite well at the moment. I’m simply curious, as many on the CC may or may not be. </p>
<p>I would not exactly call grade deflation “bull”. </p>
<p>It has been statistically documented that some colleges have tougher grading policies than others, overall. For example, some colleges have exhibited a rising trend in average campus gpa over the course of decades, while others have shown no change at all, or very slight change. Because the vast majority of colleges have shown a steady or even sharp increase in gpa over time, today’s grad schools and employers expect an “average” student to have a relatively high gpa, as compared to graduates from prior decades. </p>
<p>What this means is that if your son/daughter is at a school that has not experienced grade inflation, then his/her grades may very well be significantly lower, for comparable work and effort, than his/her competitors from a grade inflated school. This is referred to as “grade deflation”, but really it is usually just grade stagnation. It can only be hoped that grad schools and employers will “know” which schools are grade deflated and will not judge students from those schools less favorably than students from grade inflated schools. However, if your student is set on med/law school, or a career where grades are of supreme importance, then the grading policies and trends of the school should be investigated so as not to leave anything to chance.</p>
<p>I kind of doubt that TomSr is right about this. Surely there are some elite schools where the average GPA of seniors is lower than at similar schools. Bryn mawr is supposed to be 3.0, Reed 3.1, JHU 3.2, etc.</p>
<p>@prospect1 </p>
<p>I see. Are there any particular types of school in which this happens? For examples, public research university vs. private research universities, LAC vs. research universities, State schools vs. schools from other states?</p>
<p>NotYetEngineer, I have not personally investigated the phenomenon on a micro level. I do recall, when looking into the issue, that the large flagship public-ivy-types seemed to be the most “grade deflated”. I suggest you google the term “grade deflation”. You will find the various studies done on the topic, comparing specific schools and trends. Beyond that, if you have specific schools in mind, investigate their individual trends. </p>
<p>Grade inflation refers to an increase in average GPA at the same school (or group of schools) over time. It has been documented at both the high school and college level. Different schools have exhibited different rates of inflation. There is a whole website dedicated to the subject. Google the term and you will get lots of hits.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.gradeinflation.com/”>http://www.gradeinflation.com/</a></p>
<p>One would think that the term “grade deflation” would refer to a decrease in average GPA at the same school (or group of schools) over time, but for some reason, people seem to use it to refer to schools that have an average GPA that is low relative to other schools.</p>
<p>If one chooses to accept this definition, then the same school could be experiencing grade inflation and grade deflation at the same time - which doesn’t make much sense. </p>
<p>Typically a school with a lower average GPA got there either by inflating at a lower rate, or by starting at a lower value, not by decreasing over time (although there is talk at some schools of actually taking steps to reduce their average GPA).</p>
<p>@prospect1;</p>
<p>Sorry for repeating a portion of your post. I started my response, got distracted, then came back to it without checking for subsequent posts :)</p>
<p>I like your use of the terms “grade inflated/deflated” for comparing schools at a given point in time and reserving the terms “grade inflation/deflation” for trends in grades over time… </p>