Switched to a tougher school, grades falling

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a student who has transitioned to a more rigorous university, experiencing a decline in grades compared to their previous academic performance. The focus includes concerns about academic competitiveness for graduate school applications and the adjustment to a more demanding educational environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster expresses regret over their declining grades after switching to a more prestigious university, questioning their competitiveness for graduate school applications if their GPA drops to a B.
  • One participant suggests that the poster should consider studying harder as a potential solution to their academic struggles.
  • Another participant argues that the focus should not be on admissions but rather on the challenges of graduate school itself, implying that the undergraduate experience at a prestigious university may be more rigorous and demanding.
  • A later reply shares a personal experience of struggling academically in college, emphasizing the importance of hard work and determination to overcome initial setbacks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the primary concern of the original poster. While some suggest focusing on improving study habits, others emphasize the broader implications of the transition to a more challenging academic environment.

Contextual Notes

There are underlying assumptions about the nature of academic rigor at different institutions and the relationship between GPA and graduate school readiness that remain unexamined. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of academic performance and its implications for future studies.

Hercuflea
Messages
593
Reaction score
49
Switched to a "tougher" school, grades falling

Hey guys.

This semester I made the switch to a "harder" nationally ranked university from a local university in order to knock out some pre-reqs for graduate school. However, I am kind of regretting it at this point because I have already made terrible grades (mid 70s) on my the first test in both of the engineering classes that I am taking. I am used to being "that guy" who always makes >95 on everything at the smaller school, but since I started attending classes at the "big name" university it feels like either everyone is smarter than me or the professors just drive their students a lot harder than at the other place. The class average on the most recent test was a ~66, and although I was above average I still made a C which is very worrisome to me. The whole point of ever attending this big name engineering school was to get some required classes for graduate school out of the way which are not offered at my school, and it's not going to do me any good if I don't make A's in them. I guess my question is do you think that I will still be competitive on my application if a normally straight A student goes to a more reputable school and my average goes down to a B?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Have you tried studying harder?
 
I think that's not the right question. I would not be worried about admission, I'd worry about graduate school itself. The big university undergraduate program probably looks more like grad school than the local one. Also, your "high GPA without understanding" thread is worrisome.

So I think there are reasons to be concerned, but I wouldn't focus on admissions as one of them.
 
Ok, thank you guys. I will spend my day off studying instead of playing video games. I guess I just needed a jolt.
 
I had a similar experience during my freshman year of college. I was considered the "smart" kid at my well-below average high school but things changed quickly in college. I bombed a few first tests and that lit me up for real. I gave 100% effort in turning those classes around and I carried that attitude on throughout anything I do now. I got humiliated once (or three times) during that first term and I never let it happen again.

If you intend on changing your current situation then you're going to have to work all-out hard there's no other way. You've been challenged and it's your choice on what the outcome is.
 

Similar threads

My Grade 11 Math mark is eating me alive. What do I do?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
83K
Other How much does GPA and Prestigious school indicate success?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Admissions Will poor grades later in my degree affect my chances of doing a PhD?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Admissions Sincerely seeking graduate school admission advice
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Other Don’t have a high enough IQ for physics so I want to give up
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions What are my chances of being admitted into good graduate schools?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Admissions How can I get admitted into CalTech?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Getting Back on Track with Physics Help
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
Schools Should I Submit My Fall Grades for Grad School Applications?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions How to improve graduate school applications after college?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K