More Than Half of Brown Grades are A’s

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In order to get into the ivies one must have the work ethic and intelligence required to get in. Or at least the work ethic. Although you might THINK they are handing out A's because it seems like so many students are achieving them, maybe you should stop crediting the university for student's achievements. And comparing Berkeley's grade inflation to Brown's is a joke at best i hope. Everyone knows berkeleys undergrad is a joke compared to their graduate school. Which none of the undergrads get to use. Theres a reason why Brown is ranked as the Happiest college in the United States. Happy students produce results.

Chris of NY 4:37PM July 21, 2009

Definite grade inflation at the Ivies. Berkeley's A's are real A's and constitute much much less than 50% of class. Many people who walk into Berkeley are not even wait-listed at Brown or others. The high percentage of A's in Brown and others are strategies to maintain their self-fulfiiling prophencies.I wonder if most grad school professors take this into account in accepting grad students??

JC of CA 10:23AM December 30, 2008

This isn't some type of university wide conspiracy to improve reputation. Grades are calculated on a per class basis by the professor, not the administration. One major factor Influencing these high grades is the fact that all classes at Brown can be taken pass/fail. This means that the majority of people who would be getting Cs are getting 'passes' instead which are not factored in to the 'actual' grades.

Ben of RI 9:48PM December 17, 2008

As a college professor for 35 years, let me say that the main reason for grade inflation is student evaluation of faculty. Think about it. Evaluations play a key part in tenure and promotion decisions. Getting a reputation as a hard ass does not enhance a professor's evaluations.

joel kauffman of FL 1:13AM November 24, 2008

The students from my school who went to Brown didn't get A's in high school. They did however have good connections. Glad to see it's all going their way -- again.

preper of MD 11:20PM November 20, 2008

I go to an Ivy League school and have taken classes at other schools. No way is there grade inflation--Ivy League schools are much harder than other schools. If these same students went to state schools their average GPA would be much higher (I'd say by as much as .6 on overage higher).
In fact, students here and other Ivies always complain to me that the teachers keep grades down, because they can't (or don't want to) give A's to everybody (because it would look bad). Most other schools they'd get all A's. So enough of the BS.

Jim of MA 8:31PM November 20, 2008

ugh. there are so many things wrong with the premise of this article that I will only say: I'm hardly surprised to see it come from an organization that makes the lion's share of its money by reducing America's educational institutions to a number and fitting them to a curve.

stew of DC 3:19PM November 20, 2008

I am quite cynical about the number of Brown University students receiving A's in their courses. I think grade inflation is a problem in most Ivy League schools and other colleges. Ivy League schools are under tremendous pressure to maintain their academic reputation and the very high academic expectations placed upon them. Therefore, are willing to do anything even if that means inflating their grading system to meet those expectations.
Grade inflation is a canker, which threatens to undermine the academic integrity of these schools.

Skuman of NY 1:51PM November 20, 2008

For what you pay to go to Brown (and other colleges), plus interest on the loans, you dang well ought to get A's unless you're a complete goof-off. This get-what-you-pay-for demand is a third trend influencing grades.

of 4:20PM November 18, 2008