<p>For current UPENN students, how hard is it to get a good gpa at PENN?
Is there grade inflation, deflation or none?</p>
<p>I'm going to be a biochemistry major and I was just wondering how hard it would be to maintain a good gpa at penn. </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>It is very difficult to maintain the high GPA you are used to achieving. The competition is intense and most classes are graded on a curve. Now do not mistake this post as assuming the competition means it is cut throat competition. My son’s experience has been that the environment is very cooperative but in the end your grade is always determined based on how you do relative to the class mean. The class mean is curved to a B-/C+, depending on the class. Similar to other top schools the sciences and Math classes are typically curved to the lower of the two.</p>
<p>I have heard that chemistry, biochemistry, and physics have the lowest averages in the college. Although it is definitely possible to receive good grades at Penn, I do get the impression that there is a bit less grade inflation than some of the other Ivys.
Getting a 3.5-3.8 at Penn (a GPA that will only open doors, especially in the sciences) is definitely possible if you are smart and have good study habits. In the sciences however, it will require a lot more effort than in the humanities.
Getting above a 3.8 is very difficult from what I have seen if you are taking difficult classes and are not actively searching for classes to pad your GPA. There are also dimishing returns at that level. Rather than focus on getting a perfect GPA, it is better to focus on challenging oneself in classes and in finding opportunities that will prepare you for the future, such as doing research.</p>
<p>When do you get to choose your classes?</p>