<p>First off, I have to admit that I am really in love with BU. Although Northeastern is really my first choice because of their co-op program, BU is a really really close second. The thing right now is that I was waitlisted at Northeastern but accepted to BU. So either way I’m probably gonna place a deposit on BU.</p>
<p>Now I know this has been beaten to death but I want to go a pre-med route as a bio major. There is only one thing that is scaring me away from BU. Yes, it is the ever present grade deflation myth. I really hate to bring it up when everyone is rejoicing over their acceptances, but I feel it really needs to be addressed. </p>
<p>I would like to hear honest, justified, and unbiased input, rooted in facts and experiences, not hear-say. As a pre-med my GPA is obviously very important and although I am a hard worker, I don’t want my efforts marred by some supposedly unfair curve system. Yet, I do not want to rule out BU just based on a possibly untrue rumor.</p>
<p>Can someone please inform me as to whether there is validity to the grade deflation myth? Is it really something to take into consideration?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>P.S. Oh and if anyone would like to provide some commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of BU’s pre-med track and/or science department, it would be greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>At BU and probably other large schools it seems like everyone is premed. Bio 101 and Chem 101 are weed out classes - and they do a very good job at it. Study what interests you; take different courses and you may be surprised where you go to grad school.</p>
<p>Well yeah, pre med is tough.
Chem 101 - there will be almost 800 kids taking it, same for Bio. The grades are rough yes, but not deflated. For example, the first test average will be around a 65 and the second, around 50, but that’s because a LOT of people are simply unprepared to put in the work required to do well in these courses. </p>
<p>Basically, if you’re prepared to do a lot of hardwork, get some low grades and not become discouraged, then you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Do med schools want you to take the classes over again even if you get ap credit? I got a 5 on bio and 4 on chem which qualify for 8 credits each. Would I simply be put into an honors class or what?</p>
<p>I haven’t noticed grade deflation and to be honest I’m not even sure what it means. I asked my old high school tutor and he told me that it basically meant that BU doesn’t curve as much as other schools do with their grades. So from what he is saying I’m assuming it doesn’t mean grades are actually being deflated but that grades just aren’t being inflated or curved. But, like I said before I really don’t know what grade deflation is and I’m a student at BU. I never really hear about it at all. You get the grade you deserve, that’s it. But I would admit that grades don’t ever seem to be curved and it is hard but not impossible to get straight A’s. Work hard and you will do fine :)</p>
<p>I have the same concern as the OP. Not that I’m not determined to work hard but I’m still very curious about the actual truth on this grade deflation myth.</p>
<p>don’t worry about grade deflation, no one here even knows what it means. all we know is that the classes are ****ing hard, and that’s all you need to know, lol. pre-med is super weed-out, so if biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics are not your strong suit, there is a very good possibility that you will change your major within the year, lol.</p>
<p>xhomefryy, Being such a critical part of your admissions into medical school, what sort of internship/volunteer opportunities does BU offer for it’s premed students?</p>
<p>I’m going to be frank with you. If you didn’t get into NE you probably didn’t work that hard in highschool. With that work ethic you would drop out of pre-med after the first semester of Chem 101, maybe Chem 102. If by some miracle you do manage to survive those 2, Orgo will kill any resolve you have left the following year. Premed will really lower your GPA so unless you’re 100% deadset on going to Med School don’t bother doing it “just cause.”</p>
<p>niklask, remember that alot of talented and very capapble students get rejected from schools such as NU or even BU or the ivies, so I would not be too quick to write off the OP. </p>
<p>And yea i’m with the OP, I’m really interested in weighing the options of pre-med at BU vs NU as i’m trying to decide between the two.</p>
<p>as for the grade deflation myth, I’ve searched the forums, asked students and the feedback i’m getting back is almost 50:50. Some students believe its there and some say nope its not there, just work hard and you’ll be fine. So i’m not too sure on the myth too. However if it is true then, it shouldn’t be a problem just work even harder and be more determined cuz if you really want to get inot Medical school then you must be willing to put in the time and effort.</p>
<p>and yea maybe those students who were used to getting As in high school came to college with high school level work and got Bs or Cs and then blame it on the grade deflation Point is you’re pursuing a higher education so the level/qualitry of work used in high school just aint gonn a cut it in college so just step it up.</p>
<p>i’m like 90% sure i want to go to med/dental school
do i HAVE to be on the premed track??? or can i just take the necessary classes so i can do well on the MCATS???</p>
<p>NiklasK, I appreciate your somewhat blunt, yet honest response and you are correct to a degree. My high school work ethic was largely inconsistent and unfocused (although not terrible), particularly in my underclassman years. I was bright at times but far too lazy. However, ambitions, goals, and aspirations all play a large part in unearthing a student’s potential and situations can change based on that. In my case, this revelation came during my junior year, following a series of personal events that I won’t go into now. My resulting decision to pursue medicine became one not guided by false premises but one of genuine interest and passion. It became clear where my future lay and why, but academics was the how that needed to be addressed. Since then, my overall academic performance has seen a great upward trend. Despite this, I know my past cannot be erased and this was quite apparent when it came time for admissions decisions. </p>
<p>Excuse me for getting long-winded and I mean no offense of course. I just wanted to state my belief that HS is not always a clear indicator of a student’s abilities. As I mentioned earlier, I am capable, ready to work hard, and 100% sure that my goal is med school. I just do not want my grades to show otherwise. What I am learning however, is that with the proper effort put in, the appropriate grade will come regardless of curves and whatnot. If anything, it will force me to aim higher and prepare me better for med school itself.</p>
<p>Oh and to leader93, remember that premed is NOT a major. It is instead a series of necessary of classes that is required for admission to med school in general, not just in preparation for the MCATS. This is what makes it track. So yes, you have to be on the premed track but from what I hear it is rather flexible to accommodate your major.</p>