Is There Really Grade Deflation at Vandy?

Vandy08
Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:38:25 +0000

I think it is mostly " the natural effect of putting students in a curve" coupled with our professors’ extremely high expectations for us. Peabody, for instance, actually heightened its expectations a few years ago because the curricula was generally considered “too easy” and too many students were making 4.0s.

One of my first memories of Vanderbilt (8 years ago, when a sibling was here for her accepted students’ day) is Dean Berquist saying, “Your child may have been first in his or her class in high school, but every student here was first in his or her class.” I doubt I will ever forget her saying that.

When you put us all together, a curve must be set–particularly when, on average, 1/4 of a freshman class comes in and considers themselves pre-med. Granted, some classes (gen chem, intro biosci, econ, to name a few) are considered harsher because they are weed out classes, but even English majors like myself can get A’s in those classes when we work hard enough. (I did.)

If you love Vanderbilt, please don’t be discouraged by the grade deflation rumors. Come in determined to do well, and THEN find the balance between work and play.