<p>Question is pretty simple. Especially in the humanities, is there bad grade deflation at Dartmouth? </p>
<p>Also, how many math/science courses would I have to take if I were, say, a history major? Are there easy math/science courses to take?</p>
<p>bump (this is a serious question…how hard is it…?)</p>
<p>The answer is probably that it is as “hard” as you want to make it.</p>
<p>Not very difficult at all. Very manageable.</p>
<p>And there are all kinds of cop-outs. You could take a psych class for your quantitative requirement. You can take classes like astronomy for your science req. </p>
<p>Don’t even worry about it. You can make Dartmouth a joke if you want to. (I don’t recommend this - won’t be rewarding at all.)</p>
<p>I definitely don’t want it to be a joke, but I was just worried about being an english major and not being able to get any A’s because the curve is so difficult and because of grade deflation. it’s heartening to hear that that is not something i need to fret about. </p>
<p>thanks for the replies, and if anyone else has insight i’m very eager to hear it.</p>
<p>The median is like an A- in the English department. Absurd grade inflation there</p>
<p>I also have this question and I’m surprised you haven’t received more answers. Anyways, really the only insight I have in regards to Dartmouth’s academic rigor is that I’ve heard that Dartmouth students tend to be much less competitive (academically) with each other than those of the other Ivies and Ivy-esque colleges. Not sure why this is, but it’s one of reasons Dartmouth has attracted me. I would hate going to a school where everyone’s asking you what GPA you have, comparing exam grades, etc.</p>
<p>Sorry that I didn’t really answer your question but your guess is really as good as mine. DartmouthForever has had some really good posts that I’ve seen so I trust his testimonial.</p>
<p>Grade deflation in the humanities at Dartmouth? HAH.</p>
<p>With the exception of a few old-fashioned professors, grade inflation is alive and well at Dartmouth. The only catch is that transcripts show each class’s median grade so prospective employers, grad schools, etc. can see just how inflated the grades are (if they care).</p>
<p>Check out these medians from last term:
[Median</a> Grades for Undergraduate Courses - Spring 2011](<a href=“This page has moved”>This page has moved)</p>
<p>(ENGL = English)</p>
<p>As for rigor, it really is what you make it. Medians from past years are online, and there’s a student-run course guide that lets students see who taught what when (as well as how difficult each class was). With good planning, it’s usually possible to avoid classes with low medians and/or bad professors and/or tons of work.</p>
<p>As a science major who chooses courses fairly carefully, I usually end up with one or two intense classes and one or two easy classes each term, all taught by awesome professors.</p>
<p>this is wonderful news, thank you for the replies everyone.</p>
<p>Any idea what the name of that student run website is called buffalowizard? or anyone?</p>
<p>The old Student Assembly Course Guide is a fantastic resource, you need a Dartmouth login to access it (here)</p>
<p>[Course</a> Guide | Student Assembly Online](<a href=“http://hacktown.cs.dartmouth.edu/gudru/]Course”>http://hacktown.cs.dartmouth.edu/gudru/)</p>
<p>I don’t know how the usability has changed since SA stopped running it.</p>
<p>It was dead for a while, but the Hacker Club has done a good job of resurrecting it (though they have yet to put Spring 2011 courses online).</p>
<p>As rightnotleft mentioned, you need a Dartmouth login to access it. That’s why I didn’t bother posting the link. Rest assured, though, that it exists!</p>
<p>Just logged into that. I’m browsing through biology courses and this seems to be an extremely helpful resources. I’m definitely going to use it to help choose my classes.</p>
<p>Good link, buffalowizard. That’s the epitome of grade inflation.</p>