<p>In a seminar course with about 20 people, does the curve require all professors to give out some low grades like C’s, D’s and F’s?</p>
<p>For example, if everyone in the class does fairly well (and the lowest grade is a 85% B), does that person with the lowest grade automatically get an F just because he’s on the bottom of the curve?</p>
<p>No, and most seminars aren’t even graded on a curve anyways.</p>
<p>Use your head a little. Do you think 5-10% of Penn students are actually failing classes every semester?</p>
<p>yeah, someone’s daddy knows dean stetson</p>
<p>K that makes sense. But for bigger courses w/ 250+ students, is it possible for students w/ low grades like 60%-70% to be given F’s if they are on the bottom of the curve?</p>
<p>Also, are foreign language classes (ex. Spanish class of 18) graded on any sort of curve?</p>
<p>Every professor is free to choose his or her own system at least within departmental guidlines (though some departments have none). </p>
<p>My experience has been that most professors have </p>
<p>1) a fixed grading range (i.e. no curve)
2) enough experience to write tests that will put the class average wherever they want it in that range. </p>
<p>Language classes I have taken have not been curved at all. Afterall, you have to learn certain things at each stage so it would be pointless to give someone a C for failing work. (This is Latin and Greek btw.)</p>
<p>And yes - people fail classes every semester. However, most professors (or their TAs in the big lecture hall classes) pay very close attention to their student’s progress. About week 4 or 5, the instructor will almost always say something like “If your average so far is less than X% you should consider getting some tutoring. See me.” </p>
<p>The drop policy is pretty liberal and professors can sign a late drop almost anytime. (The “do it yourself” drop date is October 12 this semester.) So you’d have to be a complete moron to let an F or D show up on your transcript.</p>
<p>YMMV or course.</p>
<p>whats the curve in general like at each school</p>
<p>like is it harder or easier at wharton…or is it all basically the same</p>