Why don’t people seem to realize this? The ranking of a college is determined by the average gpa and sat scores of entering students, not by how difficult it is to graduate. In fact, the more prestigious colleges tend to have higher graduation rates. I go to a university with a 60% acceptance rate, but I’ve had to study very hard. Only 15% of the students at my college graduate in 4 years, but I might be graduating in 3.5. Anyways, I’ve heard people talking about how they think they’ll have an easier time at a less prestigious university, and it makes me feel like graduating a semester early will be nothing to be proud of. I always felt that what made an Ivy League so good was more in the students than the curriculum.
It may not be academic difficulty that is keeping your cohort from graduating, though. Financial issues, difficulty in getting required major courses, maybe a student body less committed to finishing their degrees in general could all contribute. Agree that some colleges work students harder than others – Swat, UChicago, and Mudd come to mind. I do think that colleges with academically stronger student bodies can and usually do offer a more rigorous curriculum – faster pace, more material presented. Your friends are kind of fooling themselves to think they would find it easier. But generally you should stop worrying about comparing your education to other colleges at this point – what is the purpose?
Because I’m going to grad school, and I don’t want them thinking that the only reason I did well and graduated was because I went to an easy-to-get-into college.
At less selective schools a good student has to deal with many freshmen who are only there to party. They are the ones who drop or flunk out.
As for grad school your GMAT, GRE etc. will be the equalizer.