washableglue

In most big universities, classes are naturally curved so that a certain percentage gets A's and some get B's or C's. How does this work at Pomona where classes are only 10-30 students per class?

brassmonkey

It doesn't work like that. Classes aren't curved, and students get the grade they deserved based on their absolute performance (rather than relative performance to kids in the class). It makes for a much better environment, because when you can work with someone knowing that it will make the both of you better off, you always do (collaboration), and there is no hesitation that would come from worrying that they might do better than you like you see in curved classes.

D.T.

I agree. Professors in general are very friendly and will curve to HELP the class if necessary. Rarely do you see the curving down that is widely practices in many other schools.

washableglue

Do most people get A's and B's?

Bourne

^^ Lol? I doubt that? If you work hard you'll get an A/B.

If you don't usually you won't.

brassmonkey

Depends mostly on the prof, and also the department. Some departments are harder than others, but the variance WITHIN departments is much greater than the variance AMONG departments.

Columbia_Student

The tour guy hinted to us, it's very hard to get a C.

brassmonkey

Most people here will put in more effort in the class than the amount of work it takes to get a C, which might explain why not that many students get them (or at least a lot of them).

It's not 'hard' to get a C, it's just hard to justify being enrolled in a class that you care that little about.