<p>I have heard rumors of widespread grade inflation at Princeton. Could someone please shed light on this topic?</p>
<p>No, no, no. Princeton's name is in the news because of their strict grade <em>deflation</em> policy. Basically, they are implementing a policy (first among the elites) to reduce the number of A's given out by professors.</p>
<p>The new ceiling is supposed to be 35% "A" grades in any class, thus combating unwarranted high grades.</p>
<p>The Daily Princeton has an interesting</a> series on efforts at grade deflation. Since the policy directive is relatively new, I don't think anyone can conclude one way or the other how effective it is. That said, Princeton has</a> historically suffered from grade inflation -- although perhaps to a slightly lesser degree than its peer competitors.</p>
<p>One thing about grade inflation that deserves mention, however, is that it is mainly confined to the median group of students. Achieving high honors (summa or magna cum laude) remains very difficult, and achieving a very high GPA is similiarly hard. A+'s, suffice it to say, are extremely challenging to come by.</p>
<p>....and what would be the problem with grade inflation? Oh highschoolers, they have so much to learn.</p>