According to data provided by University Registrar Mark Hewitt, students registered an average median grade of an A- and an average grade point average of 3.4.

Although Hewitt was unable to provide averages for separate areas of study, he was able to provide a "rough ranking" from past studies done on the subject. The studies showed that the lowest averages were in the sciences.

Averages in the social sciences were higher, although averages in the humanities were higher than in the social sciences. The highest averages were seen in the creative arts. However, the magnitude of the disparity remains unconfirmed.

According to Hewitt, the differences among the disciplines are greatest for first-years and sophomores, while averages in the science and social sciences rise to close the gap with the humanities and creative arts for juniors and seniors in particular.

"One way of looking at that is by the time students have declared majors they have self-selected for success in their chosen fields," he wrote in an email to the Justice.

Senior Vice President for Communications Ellen de Graffenreid provided a statement in regard to whether or not these grades accurately reflect the average Brandeis student. "In general, it is important to remember that averages are just one measurement, which by its nature is likely to oversimplify the academic experience. Like all statistics, these averages will describe some students well and some students' experiences will not fit into an average," she wrote in an email to the Justice.

In early December, Harvard University Dean of Undergraduate Education Jay M. Harris confirmed that the median grade at Harvard is an A- and the most frequently awarded grade is an A, according to a Dec. 3 Harvard Crimson article. The article raised concerns about grade inflation at Harvard.

De Graffenreid, however, denied any presence of grade inflation patterns at Brandeis.

"What we can say about grades at Brandeis is that the averages and the distribution have been remarkably stable over time, which would not indicate a pattern of grade inflation, and that the averages at Brandeis are consistent with those at other elite colleges and universities," she wrote.
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