If you have friends in SMU, they will probably find much of this very true. I guess it's just what happens when much of your course is project based and your gpa really depends on what your profs and peers think of you.
This video also highlights the limitations of the bell curve system. There are two ways to get the good grades. Either you're damn good, or you did something to your course mates.
It might be a joke, and it is quite funny, but if you've been in competitive classes before, many of these things are par for the course, because people will do anything to get ahead.
But before you consider pulling any of this shit, remember, living on Earth is still a social enterprise, and will always be.