<p>I've read many stories about UW having classes curved at 2.7-3.1 (Calc) or even 2.5-2.7 (Bio). Are the curves THAT bad, and is there any way to avoid them (choosing the right professors?). Hoping to get input from current students at UW.</p>
<p>The Math Department’s policy is that the curve is set no lower than 2.5 and no higher than 3.0 and that the curve is set based upon the first midterm. They don’t tell you until after that; it depends on the strength of the class.</p>
<p>Most of the class (in Math, I’ve not taken Bio) will be close above or below the curve, when you get further away from the curve your grade either skyrockets (as mine did in Math 112) or it implodes as you go lower. The drop from 2.3 (for example) to 1.5 is abrupt, while a similar increase in a grade would only get you to 2.7.</p>
<p>Is it possible for very high-performing students to “ruin the curve” for others?</p>
<p>Only if there were a lot of very high performing students, thus bringing the median up. One or two in a class or 300 does not ruin the curve.</p>
<p>The curve is generally based on the median (as opposed to the mean, which very low or very high test scores can easily skew).</p>
<p>Given that I need to get a 3.5+ GPA for grad school, do you have any recommendations on how to achieve that? :/</p>
<p>I’ve been getting the impression that simply studying hard isn’t enough?</p>
<p>For intro courses, to be honest, just stay on top of things, don’t slack, know the material in and out, get to know your TAs/prof and talk to them whenever you need help, practice for exams and you’ll do well. Studying hard is good but study smartly. Understanding the concepts will help you when the exams have a little “twist” on the problem and you have to tackle the problem from a different angle. (This is coming from a maths/sciencey/comp sci person)</p>
<p>I found that a lot of people who weren’t doing well weren’t putting any time into classes, getting drunk every few days (These are non-Greek students, and were hungover the next day and not doing anything … not a good use of time as a college student).</p>
<p>You’ll have students who don’t care about class so long they pass as well as students who are trying to 4.0 everything to get into med school who put aside their social life and basically study all the time. I’m not telling you to give up your social life (I’d go mad!) but don’t slack either!</p>
<p>Oh, for in-major courses, depending on the major, the average can be around a 3.3 or 3.4 … definitely a bit more ‘inflated’ especially with the caliber of people in the major (especially if competitive).</p>
<p>So more competitive majors would be curved higher? </p>
<p>I’ve heard something like Neurobiology was at around 3.4…</p>
<p>P.S. I see you everywhere in the UW forum speedsolver, thanks for the help lol.</p>
<p>Also thanks to Xavi :)</p>
<p>Don’t quote me on the competitive majors curved higher, it’s just something I’ve heard but haven’t found (or looked for…) actual stats for.</p>
<p>For example, the CS intro courses generally have an average of 2.7 or so. However, in-major courses have averages between 3.3 and 3.5. </p>
<p>Some people I know thought they were going to get a 2.5 or something based on how their grades compared to the intro course averages, but ended up with 3.7s. Courses are a lot more difficult but our GPA isn’t completely slaughtered by them.</p>
<p>(No problem! Also you make it sound like I have no outside life 
I swear I get out and do things!)</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman and I don’t really get UW’s grading system. What does it mean for a class to be “curved at 2.7-3.1”?</p>
<p>Erm. I’m pretty sure it means that the average grade in the class is set to 2.7-3.1? I’ve never experienced any curved classes through Running Start, so I’m not 100% sure about that…</p>
<p>@aopsgirl </p>
<p>From my understanding it would mean that if you did average in your class your GPA would be in the middle of the curve, where most other students would lie as well. </p>
<p>Any other current students here to give some input on this topic?</p>
<p>Let’s say the median grade in your Intro to Chem class is a 75% (normal).</p>
<p>Then whoever got a 75% will get a 2.7. If you got a 80%, maybe you’re at a 2.9. It depends on how well the rest of the class did. If you have a 30% in the class and the median is a 75%, well, I hope you dropped that class lest your GPA nose dives…</p>
<p>There’s some standard deviation stuff factored into it as well… for example, I’ve seen a lot of classes have it as a rule that as long as you’re within 2 standard deviations of the median, you’re guaranteed at least a 2.0 GPA.</p>
<p>Many classes also have “guaranteed” GPAs … it will be in the syllabus in class. For example, you got a 90% in the class? You’re guaranteed to have at least a 3.0 GPA. Generally classes won’t be curved down but sometimes will be curved up if the median falls below what the professor is looking for (ie. median at 70%, professor expects 80%).</p>
<p>Thanks! So, basically, if I’m understanding correctly, your final grade is based on how your percentage compares to the median?</p>