<p>Is it true that brown does not calculate GPAs or class rankings? I heard this somewhere, and was wondering whether or not it is true.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, this is true.</p>
<p>However, we do have "Magna Cum Laude" for the top 20% of the class. This is calculated by the number of As you have divided by the number of semesters you are at Brown times 4. It's really not a very big deal at all -- I think it's just a star by your name at graduation, and bragging rights. No Deans List, no honor roll, no GPA on your transcript.</p>
<p>so i guess there is very little competition then.</p>
<p>do you have any idea of how this would affect grad/med school admissions?</p>
<p>It doesn't.</p>
<p>But dont some students graduate with honors by writing a thesis or is that the same as graduating "Magna cum Laude"? I heard that the best students graduate with honors and prizes and awards but I could definitely be wrong.</p>
<p>Yes, different departments offer departmental honors. This is often based on your GPA within your major (most students do not take classes within their concentration Pass/Fail) and writing a thesis. This is not the same as Magna Cum Laude or any kind of overall class rank.</p>