<p>Hello. I've read on here somewhere that McGill uses a bell curve (or something like that) and that it can actually give you a lower grade than what you get. </p>
<p>Could someone please explain how this system works? Becuase of this (and not the class) is it hard to get good grades? Is this system of grading bad or not that big of a deal?</p>
<p>Thanks! </p>
<p>P.S. This is probably a stupid question but I want to be sure. During breaks and summers, would I be allowed to come back to the U.S.?</p>
<p>Yes, you can go back to the US whenever you want (even on a weekday during term if you want!)–in fact, McGill students generally have more freedom than they do at some of the more paternal American colleges. </p>
<p>I have never heard that McGill uses a bell curve, although perhaps some professors do. In my experience with other universities, the bell curve is almost always used to raise grades when they are far too low. </p>
<p>McGill probably has had less grade inflation than many US universities, so at least some American students are surprised at how low their grades are at McGill. However, what I’ve seen of my S’s grades, there does appear to be a fair bit of generosity at McGill. In the first term calculus course (with about 600 students, I believe), around 30% of the students received A’s and around only 10% failed–those grades are much kinder than those at my local university at which over 50% either fail or drop out of first term calculus. </p>
<p>So, to your main question, “is it hard to get good grades?” Clearly not, if 30% of 600 students get A’s in first term calculus.</p>
<p>Great! Thanks for responding!</p>
<p>@violindad: Most posters on CC claim that McGill has severe grade deflation. Often grade deflation = “I didn’t get the grade that I feel I deserve.”</p>
<p>McGill has the highest entering grades of any Canadian university so those who are likely to fail calculus are less likely to be admitted in the first place.</p>
<p>One advantage of the USNews ramkings is that many American universities are concened about the freshman retention metric that figures into the rankings. It has made them less likely to admit students who are likely to flunk out.</p>
<p>I totally agree that most often grade deflation = “I didn’t get the grade that I feel I deserve.”</p>
<p>I don’t think there has been any grade deflation at all–perhaps just less inflation than elsewhere.</p>