17.5% of MIT Freshman 'Flagged' for Poor Class Performance

Approximately 17.5 per cent of MIT freshmen were warned this year that they were in danger of failing one or more of their first-semester classes, the MIT Tech reports.

Historically, just under one-fifth of MIT freshmen receive 'fifth week flags.' The warnings serve as an early warning for students and advisors, alerting them to academic problems while there is still time to address them.

Faculty point out that fifth-week warnings come at a time when most classes have given only one exam and when many students are still adjusting to MIT's learning environment. The great majority of students who receive flags go on to finish the course in question with a passing grade.

Source: "Number of Flags Higher for 8.01," by Nick Bushak, the MIT Tech, November 3, 2006