Grading Curves

[gmat8000]

Are admissions officers generally aware of which programs have grading curves? I went to a top 25 university and my business program had a grading curve. I wound up with a gpa in the mid 3.6 area, but this wasn't easy to achieve since all the grades in each class had to average out to a 2.85 to prevent grade inflation. Is it wise to use the optional essays to make the adcom aware or do they generally know the policies at the major universities?

Thanks.

[jelt]

Hi,

My school is also notorious for grade deflation. A+ is still a 4.0; and the average is pegged at a B- (2.7). However if it's a top university and especially if it's in the US, my take was that the adcom would know about this. So I made no mention of it.

[Amy]

Hi gmat8000,

I wouldn't spend an optional essay discussing the grading curve at your school. In some cases the admissions committee may know - but it depends how well known your program is.

In other cases you can ask for your class ranking from your undergraduate institution, which will demonstrate if there was grad inflation or deflation. Some schools which have notorious grade deflation include a letter to that effect with official transcripts sent to graduate schools (that's what my undergrad program does.)

Good luck!

Amy