Check out the recently released fraternity and sorority grade reports. When comparing the average house GPAs between the spring and fall semesters, one unusual trend sticks out: GPAs were actually higher during the spring semester than the fall semester. For sororities the differences was .08 (3.317 vs 3.237) and fraternities had a positive gap of .086 (3.247 vs 3.161). While it’s not clear whether these differences are statistically significant (even without estimating standard errors, my guess is that they are), it’s still surprising that GPAs were not significantly lower during the pledging-intensive spring semester. Any guesses as to why?
[UPDATE]: For some reason the grade report PDFs are no longer available on Cornell’s website. Above are the originally reported, correct figures.
Having to regulate one’s schedule better – as athletes do.
links are down
ruh oh
People know they’re pledging, so they take on an easier course load?
Because you don’t need to be pledging a frat to f*** up your first semester of university?