Look Beyond the GPA: Grade Inflation Rampant Among Ivies

The median grade given to a Harvard undergrad is an A-, the school has reported, and the most frequently awarded grade is an A. The school’s Dean of Undergraduate Education Jay Harris released that data in response to a question from Harvard professor Harvey Mansfield, who later called the grading practices “indefensible.” Harvard isn’t alone; Yale found that 62 percent of the grades issued to its students were A or A-, and Princeton restructured its grading system in 2004 after similar findings. For some employers examining resumes of recent grads, that means Ivy League alum were impressive enough to get into a top-tier school, but may not be fully prepared for the rigors of work in the real world. In response nonprofit Council for Aid to Education is introducing a standardized test for college seniors that would show prospective employers whether a student is prepared for professional life.