Where are the Toughest Grading Standards?

I'm hoping to get some insights on which colleges are known to have the most rigorous grading scales. It's important for me to know the academic environment I'll be getting into. Any experiences or information appreciated!

In general, it might be harder to earn a high GPA at some schools compared to others due to their grading standards. Several Ivy League schools, including Princeton and Cornell, were traditionally known for grade deflation policies where they purposely kept their average GPAs lower to maintain a reputation for rigor. However, Princeton entirely ended its grade deflation policy in 2014.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and University of Chicago are also often renowned for their academic rigor and challenging grading. At MIT, freshmen are put onto a pass or no record grading system for their first semester, and a more lenient ABC/no record grading system for the second semester, which could be seen as an indication of the rigorous academic environment.

Some public universities, such as University of California, Berkeley, are also known for maintaining rigorous academic standards and a competitive environment. UC Berkeley doesn't have grade inflation and is known for having tough grading scales, especially in the engineering and science departments.

It's crucial to note that a rigorous grading system often equates to meticulous and in-depth learning which could be beneficial for your personal and academic growth. However, if you're planning on attending graduate school, know that some schools may not take the difficulty of your undergraduate institution into account when looking at GPA.

In the end, it is the learning and skill development you acquire that will serve you well in your career than the actual grades you receive. It's more about how you leverage the academic environment to grow intellectually and personally.