<p>Cornell is "deflated" when it comes to honors but, over time, it has suffered from gpa inflation like other schools, although it is less gpa inflated than other Ivies. A different question is how much work is required to earn an A, B, or C grade. I am not sure how to verify or refute this but there is a perception that Cornell requires a LOT of work for an A, B, or C grade. I can only say with certainty that Cornell engineering is extremely demanding. Nobody coasts. In some disciplines, the grading and the courses get easier as students progress from 200 level to 400 level courses. In engineering, the grading and the courses seem to get more difficult and more demanding.</p>
<p>I have heard and read remarks from alumni who say that Cornell is easier now than it was in the 50s and 60s. </p>
<p>I read that the percent of A and A-minus grades is a little lower at Cornell than other Ivies. I think there was an article in the Princetonian about it.</p>
<p>There is a distinction between student gpas, which are based on courses taken in many disciplines, and median grade awarded by a college, a department, a professor, or in a particular course. Median grades are generated by the faculty while gpas are earned by students. The difference in student gpas between science and engineering students and other majors might not be as great as you would think. Science and engineering curricula are probably more demanding in some ways than in other disciplines but I would respectfully suggest that the difficult coursework is offset by a the kind of intelligence and motivation needed by the science and engineering students. </p>
<p>At Cornell, students can submit questions to "Uncle Ezra", the pen-name for Cornell's anonymous "answer man" (or woman?). Here is Uncle Ezra's candid reply to a student who asked a question about grade "deflation" at Cornell. I think the 2 links to the Cornell Daily Sun articles are broken. The link to gradeinflation.com should work. The link to the Cornell Career Services postgraduate surveys should work. When you get to Career Services page, click on "Surveys and Salaries".</p>
<p>Dear UE:
Does the academic world know that Cornell practices grade <code>deflation'? In other words does a Cornell GPA get some</code>respect'? Unlike, Harvard grade `inflation'? Thank you, in advance, for your answer. Uncle Ezra, I've heard that Cornell is hard, really really hard as compaired to the other ivys. Grade inflation is not as big at Cornell and the professors also assign a lot more work I'm told. How true is this?</p>
<p>Dear Deflated and Tough,</p>
<p>The issues of grade and honors inflation have been hot topics on campus and across the nation. Isaac Kramnick, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education explained "Cornell has had comparable grade inflation to the other Ivies. Where it is different, however, is in honors inflation. For a variety of reasons, not necessarily because we are tougher, the rate of Cornell students graduating with honors is much lower than the rest of the Ivies, especially Harvard." To learn more about grade inflation, you might be interested in the following sites:</p>
<p>-<a href="http://www.cornelldailysun.com/articles/5320/dailysun.com/articles/5320/">http://www.cornelldailysun.com/articles/5320/dailysun.com/articles/5320/</a> is about grade inflation at Cornell which documents that the number of As awarded at Cornell (relative to other grades) has grown over time. </p>
<p>-<a href="http://www.cornelldailysun.com/articles/3549">http://www.cornelldailysun.com/articles/3549</a> is about honors inflation among the Ivies (most notably that an average of 8% of Cornell students versus 91% of Harvard students graduate with honors). The staggering numbers at Harvard has received much national attention.</p>
<p>-<a href="http://www.hostcompany100.com/goneforg/gradeinflation.html">http://www.hostcompany100.com/goneforg/gradeinflation.html</a> contains statistical grade information for universities across the country, compiled by Duke University Professor Stuart Rojstaczer. Cornell is not included in these studies, but fellow Ivies, including Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton are. He was recently quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education, explaining that grade inflation has occurred nationwide regardless of type, competitiveness, or size of school. </p>
<p>The issue of workload and what merits a certain grade is slightly different than "grade deflation." The perception that Cornell is more difficult than some of our peer institutions is present among some students and faculty on campus. Judy Jensvold, the Sr. Associate Director of Health Careers for Career Services advises and interacts with many premed students and graduates. These graduates are periodically surveyed, and many have responded that medical school is not as difficult as their Cornell experience. Although Cornell is a tough place the advantage is that it prepares students well for future challenges. </p>
<p>Graduate and professional schools and employers do evaluate grade point average, and many understand Cornells rigor and take this into account when evaluating each applicant. The name "Cornell" is highly weighted . Standardized test scores, interviews, extra-curricular activities, and reference letters help in the overall evaluation of the application.</p>
<p>A look through the Cornell Career Services website (<a href="http://career.cornell.edu%5B/url%5D">http://career.cornell.edu</a>) demonstrates our placement and our students GPAs and standardized test scores. Many graduates agree that Cornell is not always an easy place to be, but that what they gained was invaluable in preparing them for the next stages of their life. Graduating from Cornell, whether you got straight As or Cs is a great accomplishment! Be proud of what you are achieving! There is nothing quite like the pride and joy that radiates among grads, families and friends on Commencement day!</p>
<p>Uncle Ezra</p>