I’m currently a senior in high school and I’m having a tough time choosing between tufts and bu. I really like bu but I’m worried about their grade deflation (if any of you guys know if this is really prevalent in the school, please tell me). I like tufts but the campus doesn’t seem as exciting as bu. I’m going to follow a premed track so that I can go to dental school. Please help!!
Yes, grade deflation is real (in that BU makes a concerted effort not to have a disproportionate percentage of the student body have an A average), but it’s also not as bad as people tend to fear. To my mind, it just means BU has academic rigor that means a student can’t expect to be handed As for just showing up, and should bring the “A game” at all times–pay attention in class/engage, do your work, actually study, don’t half-ass assignments or exams (a bullsh*tted essay is going to get a sub-par grade). Basically don’t be complacent but also deep breaths if you’re getting your first B in something (or lower). I think of Tufts and (and fellow Boston school BC) as similar: rigorous institutions where you won’t be handed As just because you were a smarty-pants in high school and good enough to get in. (honestly I think schools that are “easy” or “inflate” grades are in the minority among elite institutions, anyway). The reward is in the work, and you’ll come out of it with a great education no matter what. Both are great schools. I don’t think your academic experience would be vastly different at either, in that sense.
So I would focus on fit/preference. It sounds like you’re leaning towards BU based on campus–are there other elements for either school that are important to you?
which one do you recommend if i want to go onto dental school?