jdplus3

For classes that are graded on a curve at Columbia, what grade is usually assigned to the mean?

Will_S

I can't speak for Columbia specifically but the average (or often times median)GPA is almost always 2.8-3.2.

Skraylor

Depends on the department and even the class sometimes. Can be anywhere from the C+/B- border (GPA ~ 2.5) to a B+ (GPA = 3.33).

(I have personally had 2 classes do the C+/B- border [engineering])

confidentialcoll

yeah usually B- to B+ (2.67 to 3.33) is usually the norm. Some classes esp core and like art history have a loose curve around like a 3.5. I've heard (but never experienced) horror stories of classes, usually in seas, curving to 2.5 like skraylor describes. That's just brutal to be honest.

Columbia2002

What a worthless post. Not only is it admittedly irrelevant to Columbia, but 2.8 and 3.2 are huge differences.. that's two grades almost.

These are EE or CompEng classes? In terms of not scaring people away, I think such a low curve is pretty unusual in SEAS classes.

And at Columbia -- unlike state schools that really weed people out -- if you're stick in classes with tough curves you're unlikely to get a C/D/F. The prof is likely to give a ton of B's and B-'s and a good number of C+'s, but isn't likely to go really low.

Skraylor

My post is slightly misleading since it was one professor who taught 2 classes I took. ChemE/EEE tho.