Why do kids choose W&M if it has grade deflation?

[Anonymous]

W&M is well known for its grade deflation, so why would anyone willingly choose to go there? I'm by no means a W&M hater, and I think there are many great things about the school, but it doesn't make sense to me that people would choose to intentionally work harder for the same results than what would be necessary at other colleges, even the high ranking ones.

[Anonymous]

It was like that decades ago, but I don’t think grade deflation is as big a problem now.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that your premise is true. But, maybe by working harder they expect the result to be a better education? My sense is that students that are truly engaged in what they're studying don't mind working hard.

[Anonymous]

I appreciated the challenge.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of employers and graduate schools can dig a little deeper than comparing GPAs down to the 100th of a point.

The ones that can't are places to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure that your premise is true. But, maybe by working harder they expect the result to be a better education? My sense is that students that are truly engaged in what they're studying don't mind working hard.

There's this. Also if they are strategic and understand that academic performance is one of their strong points, not being leery of a tough grading school can be turned to advantage. Student performance variances are highlighted.. At least that was the premise my kid had for selecting a similarly grade deflated school. So far he's proved out right competing for internships. More importantly though he really likes a way to tell if he is really getting the material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure that your premise is true. But, maybe by working harder they expect the result to be a better education? My sense is that students that are truly engaged in what they're studying don't mind working hard.

Personally, I would rather work harder to improve my education by choice. I'd rather not be forced to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure that your premise is true. But, maybe by working harder they expect the result to be a better education? My sense is that students that are truly engaged in what they're studying don't mind working hard.

Personally, I would rather work harder to improve my education by choice. I'd rather not be forced to do so.

No one is forcing anything. This is based on an outdated allegation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was like that decades ago, but I don’t think grade deflation is as big a problem now.

My uncle was there in 1970 and transferred out due to this, but I have certainly heard this same complaint as recently as the 2000's. When you say it's not a problem now, is that like in the past 10 years, 5? Does anyone know if W&M has actually changed its grading policy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was like that decades ago, but I don’t think grade deflation is as big a problem now.

My uncle was there in 1970 and transferred out due to this, but I have certainly heard this same complaint as recently as the 2000's. When you say it's not a problem now, is that like in the past 10 years, 5? Does anyone know if W&M has actually changed its grading policy?

Past 15 years. It’s become more like everywhere else—which sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M is well known for its grade deflation, so why would anyone willingly choose to go there? I'm by no means a W&M hater, and I think there are many great things about the school, but it doesn't make sense to me that people would choose to intentionally work harder for the same results than what would be necessary at other colleges, even the high ranking ones.

It doesn't have grade deflation. If you look at the average GPA of students attending, it's right in line w/ similar institutions (I.e. UVA).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M is well known for its grade deflation, so why would anyone willingly choose to go there? I'm by no means a W&M hater, and I think there are many great things about the school, but it doesn't make sense to me that people would choose to intentionally work harder for the same results than what would be necessary at other colleges, even the high ranking ones.

It doesn't have grade deflation. If you look at the average GPA of students attending, it's right in line w/ similar institutions (I.e. UVA).

Where is this information available? I'm not finding it easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M is well known for its grade deflation, so why would anyone willingly choose to go there? I'm by no means a W&M hater, and I think there are many great things about the school, but it doesn't make sense to me that people would choose to intentionally work harder for the same results than what would be necessary at other colleges, even the high ranking ones.

It doesn't have grade deflation. If you look at the average GPA of students attending, it's right in line w/ similar institutions (I.e. UVA).

Where is this information available? I'm not finding it easily.

Go here and click on the individual schools at the end.

http://www.gradeinflation.com/

The average W&M GPA in 2014 was a 3.32 compared to a 3.32 at UVA and a 3.15 at VT

[Anonymous]

Grade deflation or no grade deflation, I believe that W&M produces successful alumni, yes?

[Anonymous]

By “grade deflation”, do you mean students get the grade they actually deserve, as opposed to an inflated grade they’d get at another school?