Is it possible to maintain a perfect GPA in your college?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of maintaining a perfect GPA in college, exploring various perspectives on grading systems, personal experiences, and the challenges associated with achieving high academic performance across different majors and institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that achieving a perfect GPA is theoretically possible but practically challenging due to varying grading systems and course difficulty.
  • One participant notes that at their undergraduate institution, grades were given in increments of 0.5, which could facilitate achieving higher grades compared to a more granular system.
  • Another participant emphasizes that as students progress in their education, maintaining a 4.0 GPA becomes more difficult and less critical compared to gaining research or work experience.
  • A participant shares their personal experience of maintaining a 4.0 GPA through careful course selection, indicating that strategic planning can influence GPA outcomes.
  • One participant recounts a friend's experience of graduating with a 3.98 GPA, highlighting that even high achievers can receive lower grades in challenging courses.
  • A student from a physics department in Turkey asserts that achieving a perfect GPA is impossible in their program, reflecting regional differences in academic rigor.
  • Another participant argues that while it may be possible for some students to achieve high GPAs, individual talents and aptitudes play a significant role in academic success, likening it to sports performance.
  • Concerns are raised about the grading culture at specific institutions, such as Cornell, where achieving an A or A+ is perceived as extremely difficult due to professors' expectations.
  • One participant shares an anecdote about a classmate who achieved a perfect GPA, suggesting that exceptional cases do exist but may not be representative of the general student experience.
  • Lastly, a participant mentions that some individuals may excel in academic settings due to their dedication and time commitment, particularly in demanding fields like engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the possibility of maintaining a perfect GPA, with some asserting it is achievable under certain conditions while others argue it is nearly impossible, particularly in specific majors or institutions. There is no consensus on the matter.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the variability in grading systems across different institutions and departments, as well as the subjective nature of academic performance influenced by individual capabilities and course selection strategies.

pakmingki
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has it ever been done?
Sure, all one needs is straight A's, but it seems like with most majors that's simply impossible.
Especially at the school I'll be attending next year (UW), i think it's literally impossible to maintain a spotless GPA. This is because you simply get grade points for each class, instead of a letter grade that's worth a certain amount of grade points. SO an A doesn't mean 4 grade points; A teacher might give a 3.8 for a 95%, and like a 3.9 for 97%.
 
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Yes, it happens all the time. Of course, as you say, it becomes more difficult if the grades are broken down. At my undergrad they only gave in multiples of 0.5. That means 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, etc. At my grad school, they broken it down like you explained. This was actually good for me since I'm not a 4.0 student anyway. More breakdown can also mean you get a higher grade too (Instead of a 3.5 you can get a 3.6 or 3.7).
 
It does get harder to keep a 4.0 as you progress. It also becomes less important to do so. Late in your education good research experience (or work experience) will mean much, much more than a high GPA.
 
with two semesters left before i graduate, i still have a 4.0.

i could just as easily not have it, but I've been pretty savvy about course selection with the classes outside my majors.
 
my friend is an ME and graduated with a 3.98 it ended up getting an A- in one of his courses.
 
It changes due department. I am a student in Physics department in Hacettepe University in Turkey . fellows it is impossible to have a perfect GPA in here .I m not proud but this is the truth.
 
It’s possible for every major in any semester and in any school.

The question I always enjoy asking is, is it possible for every student? I would say, absolute not.

For the most part grades reflect the amount of work and time you put into a class. I agree with this 100%. However, you will eventually reach a point when a persons natural talents will restrict or permit the level of success they can achieve by extreme and relentless training and practice.

In this case, school is no different then sports. Some people have a talent and some people don't. All the hard work in the world could not turn most of us into professional athletes. I am 5'8" 150 lb. With very limited athletic ability. I have trouble hitting a slow pitch soft ball, no amount of desire, training, and practice will ever allow me to become a slugger in the majors, it's not a physical possibility for me. I am terrible at throwing a ball on target (yet I seem to be quite good at throwing knives? i.e., I have a talent or aptitude in that area). Again, there are not enough hours in the day to turn me into a major league pitcher regardless of the amount of effort put in. I doubt I could even qualify as a good minor league pitcher no matter how much effort I put in. I could go on for hours about the stuff that I and others are just plain not good at, but I hope the point is made
 
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It's ALMOST impossible to maintain A or A+ in Cornell. Unless you're one of those people who stand out 1 in 50 or so. Professors pretty much DON'T won't you to get an A+ let alone an A. In order to get an A+ at Cornell, you better know more than the TA's or equivalent and impress the heck out of the professor.
 
From time to time one met a genius... one of that guys are incredible.

Around three years ago I was at ICTP and one of my classmates(and a good friend of mine) got a perfect 4. (that was not my case... at all).

Of course we agree it depends on where you're studing... Ok, but Witten exists. Hehehehe!

I'm very proud of my, say, poor marks... but I try to have wise understanding, which could be more valueble at the end of the day.

C U in another life.
 
  • #10
some people have the knack for it - but in tougher courses such as Computer or Electrical Engineering - that's quite a tough call. If you can easily sacrifice large blocks of time daily towards your subject you should be fine.
 

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