I am a student at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management, and I've personally experienced the detrimental effects of the imposed "curve grading" system that caps the number of "Superior Passes". This unfair grading practice has not only affected me in Marketing fundamentals but countless other students. It has created an environment where hard work and dedication are not necessarily rewarded, leading to Emotional Damages for students.

Vanderbilt Owen is known for its rigorous academic environment and commitment to cultivating top-tier business leaders. However, this arbitrary and  artificial limits on superior passes UNDERMINES this mission. A curve grading system that enforces a predetermined distribution of grades—regardless of the individual performance and merit—only serves to devalue the achievements of students who have consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication.

Education should be a meritocracy, NOT a zero-sum game. The current grading cap perpetuates inequality by holding back deserving students from earning the grades that truly reflect their hard work and capabilities. Instead, we should aspire to recognize and reward every student's effort and talent. 

Furthermore, research has shown that grading systems that impose arbitrary limits do not contribute to a healthy competitive environment. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Educational Evaluation, such practices can lead to increased stress and a decrease in academic motivation. For instance, a 2020 survey from the National Union of Students found that over 70% of students reported feeling HIGH levels of stress due to unfair grading practices, which ultimately undermine not just academic performance, but also mental health.

Our request is simple: let the coursework, projects, and examinations determine grades based on actual performance—not a forced curve. In simple words: NO CAP!