Yale

Anonymous wrote:My child has had the same freshman year experience at an Ivy (not Columbia so I can't speak to it's rigor). Classes are ridiculously easy even as a STEM major and many peers are not doing well in them (grades on tests as low as in the teens). All together a big step down in rigor and peer group from child's private high school. They got a job for 15-20 hours a week to fill the time.

I have no doubt that there are Ivies and other colleges that are still rigorous but many are not. I am not posting this to be a jerk or a snob at all but because it's been really eye opening.

Please name the Ivy League school that your child is attending. Thanks !

My child has had the same freshman year experience at an Ivy (not Columbia so I can't speak to it's rigor). Classes are ridiculously easy even as a STEM major and many peers are not doing well in them (grades on tests as low as in the teens). All together a big step down in rigor and peer group from child's private high school. They got a job for 15-20 hours a week to fill the time.

I have no doubt that there are Ivies and other colleges that are still rigorous but many are not. I am not posting this to be a jerk or a snob at all but because it's been really eye opening.

There are a lot of ways to increase challenge. My kid does this by taking more classes, getting a job or two, taking higher level classes, and adding a second or third major.

It’s only been one semester, which means four, maybe five classes. Every semester has a shopping period so she can find the vigorous classes next semester. What classes did she take that she found easy?

What a dumb comment. It has been one semester. I would rather that experience than the opposite extreme. You think you are humblebragging about how brilliant she is but you are just making her sound totally un-self aware. Since classes are apparently so easy perhaps she should spend more time socializing and working on her EQ.

She has only completed one semester. Too early to tell. Will she be taking high level science or math classes?

One more reason why Columbia > Barnard

Anonymous wrote:My DD is first year at Barnard and, though she loves being in the city, she is finding the classes pretty easy (and she came from a public school with a lot of grade inflation). She expected more rigor/to be challenged more and maybe that's still to come but she's underwhelmed. Anyone else?

Is your DD thinking about transferring? I know how it feels not to be challenged. Swarthmore comes to mind. Reed, Carleton as well but I think Swarthmore may be the best fit for your DD. Also, can she just transfer to Columbia college?

Anonymous wrote:My DD is first year at Barnard and, though she loves being in the city, she is finding the classes pretty easy (and she came from a public school with a lot of grade inflation). She expected more rigor/to be challenged more and maybe that's still to come but she's underwhelmed. Anyone else?

Isn't that a great result? Can't she cross-enroll in classes at Columbia College? Perhaps classes being easy will enable her to take a part-time job or internship in the City?

Oh well.

Can you elaborate more on what's too easy or easier in her experience/opinion? We're looking at colleges.

My niece feels the same way.

Anonymous wrote:My DD is first year at Barnard and, though she loves being in the city, she is finding the classes pretty easy (and she came from a public school with a lot of grade inflation). She expected more rigor/to be challenged more and maybe that's still to come but she's underwhelmed. Anyone else?

Rule of thumb: The harder it is to get into the easier the grading is.

My DD is first year at Barnard and, though she loves being in the city, she is finding the classes pretty easy (and she came from a public school with a lot of grade inflation). She expected more rigor/to be challenged more and maybe that's still to come but she's underwhelmed. Anyone else?