Severe Grading in universities, is it real?

Hey, I heard about some universities that are notorious for having really rigorous and even severe grading. Where is this common and do you think it should be a factor when I'm deciding where to apply? Thank in advance for the help!

In my response, I'd say that grading rigor can vary significantly from university to university, and even from professor to professor within those institutions. Some schools, especially technical institutes or those with a very academically-motivated student body, may have stricter grading systems, which some students refer to as 'grade deflation.' Some notable examples of this are the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Princeton (although Princeton has attempted to address grade deflation in recent years).

On the other hand, some universities are known to engage in 'grade inflation,' wherein the majority of the students receive high grades, A’s and B’s being the norm. Harvard is a commonly cited example of this.

However, it's crucial to remember that these reputations aren't necessarily an absolute reflection of the academic experience at each school. Professors, departments, courses, and even years can have very different grading styles.

In terms of whether it should impact your decision on where to apply, consider your academic goals and stress tolerance. If you thrive on academic competition and challenge, a rigorous grading system may not faze you. However, if such an environment may cause undue stress, it might be better to consider schools with a reputation for a more balanced workload.

It's also worth considering how these grades might impact your future prospects. For instance, if you're aiming for a highly competitive graduate program or job that looks closely at GPA, this is something to bear in mind.

Ultimately, when choosing a university, there are many factors to consider beyond grading. Look at the whole picture — the campus culture, academic programs, faculty, extracurriculars, location, opportunities for research or internships, and more. Also, you could contact current students or recent alumni to get their firsthand accounts of the academic rigor and grading systems at the schools you're interested in.