Commencement '94 Bonus

Since 1970, Stanford University -- one of the nation's most prestigious -- has been peppering its student transcripts with As and Bs (93% of all grades awarded) and letting scholars bail out of uncongenial courses up to the very day of final exams with no questions asked. But last week the school turned its back on slacker-friendly grading and reinstated a failing NP (Not Passed) grade for 1995-96. How do other schools measure up?

ARIZONA STATE

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

two weeks before the end of term

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

56.2%

BRIGHAM YOUNG

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

first 25 days of fall and winter terms, first 13 days of spring and summer terms

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

82.4%

KALAMAZOO COLLEGE

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

third week of the term

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

77%

NOTRE DAME

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

seventh class day

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

74%

SMITH COLLEGE

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

up to 20 days before last class day

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

89.3%

TEXAS A&M

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

5th class day (fall and spring)

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

70%*

UNIV. OF WASHINGTON

DEADLINE FOR DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

midterm

FAILING GRADE

yes

PERCENTAGE OF AS AND BS

82%

FOOTNOTE: *includes graduate and professional students