Want a higher GPA? Go to a private university.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Did you read the article? That's exactly what they said.

uh...
Now I've read the article. Sorry 'bout that. Carry on.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

On the other hand, I think it could just as logically seem that students who have to work their way through school could be more motivated because they feel more personally invested -- it's their own hard-earned money on the line, not mom and dad's. Kind of a corrollary to your thought that kids at private schools may feel pressured to get a good GPA to go with the expensive education.

Good point. Also, students who work their way through college generally cannot do both without having good time management skills. And I'd say, generally speaking, good time-managers have a higher GPA than poor time-managers.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

uh...
Now I've read the article. Sorry 'bout that. Carry on.


Good point. Also, students who work their way through college generally cannot do both without having good time management skills. And I'd say, generally speaking, good time-managers have a higher GPA than poor time-managers.

That's alright...plus science and math have concrete answers whereas for a lot of humanities courses, the grading is more subjective which can allow for more grade padding.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

...plus science and math have concrete answers whereas for a lot of humanities courses, the grading is more subjective which can allow for more grade padding.

Common misconception.

I don't care what this thread is about, but want to say that private universities rock.

[bluejay]

I would agree that GPAs at most private schools would be higher on average for a variety of reasons... However, my Hopkins classmates would be chuckling all the way to the library after they read this article.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I don't care what this thread is about, but want to say that private universities rock.

What what! I love my private university edjumacations.

The most selective private universities tend to have students who are at the top of their game. If you have a class of perfectionist overachievers, unless you grade on a curve, there is going to be a higher percentage of kids who are going to get As and Bs because that's the quality of work they're putting out. Also, most of the kids going to selective private universities worked their asses off to get there. Taking four college classes, none of which meet every day, is a walk in the park compared to taking 7-8 AP/IB/advanced/college level courses/whatever on top of sports and extracurriculars, most of which meet every day too. That's what happened to me. I was like, I don't have to be at the high school from 7 AM to 6 PM, with homework afterwards and on the weekends? Score! It was very easy, then, to focus on those four classes and do well in them, and still take advantage of the smorgasbord of awesome my college provided.