Pass/Fail vs Traditional Grades

[UBDent19]

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There have been many discussions on SDN about pass/fail grading systems and their benefits/drawbacks but I have not seen one recently that discussed the following:

I just learned from an oral surgeon I am shadowing (who graduated from UCLA) that pass/fail is not a grading system of only two grades. Students can receive an "exceptional pass", "high pass", "pass" or "fail". This is essentially A, B, C or F except that only the top 5 or so students receive the "exceptional pass" grade in each course whereas, in a traditional grading system, more students can receive an "A".

To all those out there that are attending pass/fail schools or have more information, is this true? If so, it would seem to me that the "pass/fail vs traditional grades" argument regarding their importance in applying to specialty programs is not necessary.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Pennywisdom]

I've never heard of "exceptional pass".

 

[UCLAzy]

outdated. ucla now has honors, pass and fail.

 

[Hank04]

outdated. ucla now has honors, pass and fail.

Ditto. Of the pass/fail schools that I am familiar with, the honors, pass and fail is the standard.

 

[UBDent19]

Thanks for the feedback. So an honors/pass/fail system provides a type of grading similar to A/B/F. It seems to me that this would still allow students at schools like UCLA and Columbia to differentiate themselves and would therefore not need to be such a deciding factor between different schools.

 

[Hank04]

Thanks for the feedback. So an honors/pass/fail system provides a type of grading similar to A/B/F. It seems to me that this would still allow students at schools like UCLA and Columbia to differentiate themselves and would therefore not need to be such a deciding factor between different schools.

I've heard various valid arguments for and against both systems. Regardless of which system one is taught under, I've heard that the quality of one's letters of recommendation are most critical since that will be the distinguishing factor amongst the other applicants. I would just imagine that those letters would be weighed more heavily for those under the P/F system.

Anyone else have more input?