Michelle Kahan, [email protected]
In response to the article “Tours don’t tell the whole story,” (by Katie Kelly) I am very agitated with Boston University and its academic policies. It seems as though they discourage teachers to give good grades. If students receive appalling grades, are they motivated to do better? Do we want a reputation like Cornell, which has the highest suicide rate? I spoke with a psychologist who recently left Boston University, and she said “I remember about five years ago when they implemented the new academic policy. Students were flowing in, crying, depressed, upset, frustrated with Boston University and how they just could not make it.” Not only that, but parents do not understand just how difficult it is here to do well. Many of my friends were forced to leave by their parents who claimed that they ‘partied too much,’ which wasn’t true at all in some cases. I began my studies in the School of Management and now I am awaiting an acceptance from another school within Boston University. What if I don’t get in? I can’t major in what I want to do? What kind of school does not allow you to major in something that they offer? In high school, you would study like crazy and receive an A. In Boston University, you study double the amount, maybe even more, and walk away from the test saying- YES! I THINK I PASSED! I understand that it is different, that now we are in college and work gets more difficult and time consuming, but I feel that students should receive the grades they deserve. They should get an A if they studied for an A. I am sure that you are wondering just why I waste my time complaining instead of doing something. I pondered that question and realized I should apply to other schools, however I was only let down. Boston University makes their students’ GPA so low that they cannot go to other schools, both for undergraduate and graduate school. I know a senior that was motivated to continue her studies and is now too frustrated to continue due her deflated GPA. So I ask you this- grade inflation is not the answer, but is grade deflation the answer? We all want the name Boston University to look great when we leave here, but at what cost?