Article to read for anyone interested in James Madison College

Colleges & Universities Michigan State University
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<p>[No</a> Grade Inflation at James Madison College | The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy](<a href=“No Grade Inflation at James Madison College — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal”>No Grade Inflation at James Madison College — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal) </p>

<p>Just FYI - here’s a really nice article written by a current MSU James Madison professor and student regarding grading within James Madison College, answering some questions people may have about the nature of the residential college, difficulty of grading, level of education received, James Madison College’s reputation and potential placement. </p>

<p>[For those of you who don’t know James Madison College is a residential college at Michigan State University that specializes in public & international affairs] </p>

<p>Some interesting snippets:
“Since 2000, an average of only 10 percent of grades assigned to James Madison students during the regular academic school year have been perfect 4.0s (As). In summer, that percentage drops to 7 percent. And in no semester on record has that average ever risen above 15 percent. Lest one think this may be a Michigan State phenomenon, no other college in the university assigns As, on average, to fewer than 25 percent of the students in its courses.”</p>

<p>“Yet despite having lower GPAs on average than their regular university peers, James Madison students achieve high distinction. Although the approximately 1200 students make up just 4 percent of the total population at Michigan State, “Madisonians” make up approximately 30 percent of the university’s Phi Beta Kappa members [MSU’s honor fraternity] each year and consistently maintain the highest placement rates in the university within six months of graduation. That beats even Michigan State’s business and engineering schools.” </p>

<p>“On top of that, JMC students are known for achieving numerous academic honors. The college boasts fourteen Fulbright Scholars, eleven Truman Scholars, seven Marshall Scholars, five Rhodes Scholars, five National Science Foundation fellowship winners, and one George Mitchell Fellow.”</p>

<p>“Although 4.0s are hard to come by, approximately 60 percent of Madisonians earn between 3.0s and 3.5s each semester. Those numbers, relatively low for top quality students, reflect the fact that the students who self-select into the college know what they are getting into. James Madison has the highest student retention rate of any program in the university.” </p>

<p>“James Madison’s sound curriculum and consistent grading practices have created a reputation among graduate schools and employers, particularly throughout the Midwest. Even if JMC students have somewhat lower GPAs than students from other schools, employers and grad schools know that they can rely on them—something that can’t always be said about others, no matter how high their GPAs. Madison students know that in return for four years of disciplined study, they will be rewarded with a valuable degree that boasts of both their own prospects and the school’s reputation.”</p>

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<p>Nice find fa-la, good article!</p>

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<p>Okay, I have to ask: JMC students do more work for lower grades? I mean, don’t get me wrong, knowledge is far more important to me than a number. But my AP Composition teacher had a similar philosophy with regard to grades, and despite succeeding in her class, it killed my (and a number of other student’s) 4.0s that, quite frankly, they probably didn’t deserve to lose. These kids are now having to settle for their second (sometimes third, for the more ambitious) choice colleges because of their loss of perfect scores. </p>

<p>I guess what I’m trying to get across is, isn’t the same thing going to hold true for JMC students applying to top grad/law schools? I hate to put down a prestigious institution for their grading policy, but why should smart, hard-working, ambitious students be put at such a disadvantage when going forward with their education?</p>

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<p>^^^As a James Madison student I don’t consider it a disadvantage, but merely a challenge. It can be a bit discouraging from the onset when you know “unless you are one of the best students these professors have ever had, you won’t receive a 4.0.” (and just to let you know, only a few professors within James Madison are like this…like any college, there are some professors who give out 4.0s a lot more frequently than others). But I guess this is just a testament to the type of student James Madison College attracts…if you are looking for perfect 4.0’s with minimal-to-average effort, major in political science. If you are looking for a challenging curriculum with teachers that are incredibly engaging and more than willing to stretch your learning, take James Madison courses. A 4.0 is certainly not impossible, especially if you are willing to go to the professor’s office hours, participate fully in class, and perhaps take on the honors option in a course. You have to understand, grad schools and law schools look well beyond GPA moreso than undergrad schools…they look more specifically at courseload, relevant work experience etc…And honestly? there’s nothing wrong with getting a few 3.5’s…you do realize that the average entrance GPA to the best law schools are around 3.7-3.8 and the best grad schools about 3.5-3.6?</p>