Weighted or Unweighted GPA?
How do colleges calculate GPA in the admissions process? Some students take courses that “weigh” more than others, which can boost their GPA and their class rank. But how do colleges treat these different weights when they read your application?
Most colleges will consider both your weighted and unweighted GPA, and most high schools will report both to the colleges to which you are applying.
Colleges want the weighted GPA to reflect your class rank, as well as the relative rigor of your high school course load. But they will not use this weighted GPA in comparing you with other applicants.
Most colleges will use the unweighted GPA as the best reflection of your high school performance. As they say, “an A is an A.” A B in an Advanced Placement course does not mean that you somehow really got an A in that course…you still did B work, according to your teacher. So while the weighted GPA will reflect the relative rigor of your high school coursework, the unweighted GPA reflects your actual performance in those courses.
So don’t be lulled into complacency when you get a “B” on that AP history test by telling yourself that B work equals an A in a less rigorous course. The fact is that colleges will pay closer attention to your unweighted GPA than to an average that is artificially inflated.
Furthermore, many colleges today are “stripping” GPAs of any fluff courses, such as gym, art, music, business, or other courses not considered to be sufficiently academic in nature. Padding your GPA, therefore, is not really possible by getting a straight-A average in chapel or woodworking or glee club. Colleges want to know how well you do in your academic core subjects: English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language.
Bottom line: your GPA matters.
PS: You might want to look at my post on how to calculate your “real” GPA.
Mark Montgomery
Montgomery Educational Consulting
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About the Author
Mark Montgomery
As a former professor, administrator, and high school teacher, Mark has the knowledge and skills to counsel students as they make the transition from high school to college.
440 Responses to “Weighted or Unweighted GPA?”
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Hi, Kevin,
I wish I could give you specific predictions. Generally all those schools like their applicants to be in the top 10% of their class. You don’t mention your scores on your AP tests. You say you are a basketball player, but I take it you are not being recruited by the Duke coach (!). Generally I would say that your GPA is a little low for these schools, but your chances of admission will depend on so many other factors. There are many top colleges, however, that would take you very seriously, and would love to accept you. It’s all a matter of finding the right fit. If you’d like some help, Kevin, finding the right fit, please let us know through our contact page. Thanks, and good luck.
Hi Mr. Montgomery,
Am just saying thanks for the helpful advice you have posted up on this page. You seem to care a lot about students, well am just leaving comment to say thanks.
Hello Mr. Montgomery,
I have a question. When a college publishes their admission statistics and they give the average high school GPAs, is that usually the weighted or unweighted high school GPAs of their admitted students?
Thanks You Very Much for your Time!
Sourabh
Wow! This information was great! Thanks Mr. Montgomery
I just realized that both are important. Btw, my school gives numerical average, not abc..so if my non-weighted was a 89.7 and weighted was 97.1 what would my GPA 4.0 scale be?
Naedine,
I’m glad you find this helpful. You need to ask your school what will be reported on the transcript for colleges and universities. The “school profile” will help translate your grades for colleges. Ask to have a look at that, and you’ll find your answer there.
Good luck.
Sourabh,
My advice is to ignore the GPAs that are reported by colleges. They will report them whichever way makes them look best. Also, the problem is that there is no standard way of reporting GPA from one school to another. It’s really hard to compare these reported GPAs from one college the next. Personally, I just ignore them completely.
Hi Kelsey,
Thank you for you inquiring. It is difficult for us to assess your chances to be admitted to a school without viewing your entire profile. Most colleges will look at everything; transcript, standardized testing, recommendations, essays, activities, etc. When you are creating your list, you should make sure and have a good number of safety and obtainable schools, along with 2 to 3 reach schools.
Hope that helps!
Katherine Price
Senior Associate
Montgomery Educational Consulting
Because I am taking IB courses so my grades are not as high as it would be if I am taking AP, dual enrollment, or honor classes. But colleges will still consider my B as a B, and not give me any consideration because of my course. Also do you think it is a good idea to top of with a couple of dual enrollment courses to boost up my weighted GPA is a good idea? If it is then how many dual enrollment courses do i need to bring my 3.7 up to at least a 4.1.
Hi Penny,
Colleges will look at the challenge of your curriculum as well as your grades. It is difficult for us to assess the benefits to changes in your schedule, since it is up to you to determine the workload you can handle. A full IB diploma is the most competitive curriculum you can take. However, if you find that you are struggling with some IB courses, an AP curriculum, where you can pick and choose may be a better fit.
Good luck!
Katherine Price
Educational Consultant
Hi. I’m a freshman this year (in high school), and I got a one B, one B+, and one A- my first semester…. Will this completely ruin my GPA in the long run? Also, will those marks prevent me from being admitted into the best colleges? The three classes are Honors Physical Science, Chinese, and Honors Communications.
Hi Hannah,
While you grades will be calculated into your overall GPA, they won’t “ruin” you. Colleges definitely like to see an upward trend in grades. You certainly already have strong grades, so just keep working hard!
Katherine Price
Senior Associate
Hello Mr. Montgomery, I have passed CBSE exam.(India) securing 92.5% marks and was among the top five students. I am applying for admission in an American Institute , where GPA is required, to be reported by the Principal of the school. The Principal has asked me to inquire, hoe he should convert this percentage into GPA score.
Hello,
I suggest you contact the American Institute you are applying to see how they would like to receive your scores. Some school will require that you go through a professional agency, such as World Education Services (WES) in order to have transcripts translated and an official GPA calculated.
Sincerely,
Katherine Price
Senior Associate
Hey, if my average in 9th grade was an 82, then in 10th grade was a 73, 11th grade 1st quarter average was a 69 but 2nd quarter all A’s, third quarter, 4 A’s 2 B’s, and then 4th quarter 5 A’s and 1 B, and then senior year 1 A and 5 B’s do you think I could get into a good college with a scholarship? Also senior year (right now) I’m taking 2 AP courses, and 11th grade 1 AP course
Rashad,
The answer is “maybe” depending on the college and the size of the scholarship you need. I encourage you to do the math all the way through (good practice in problem solving…math in “real life”). Then you can see if your combined GPA and test scores put you in the top 10% or 25% or 50% of a school’s accepted first year students. If you are at the high end, then you have a better chance at a scholarship. If you are at the low end, you have much less chance.
I hope this is helpful Best of luck!
Hi,
I am very concerned about my chances to get into a good college and receive major scholarships because I don’t want to have a student loan. I did poorly during my freshman and sophomore years in high school and my unweighted GPA is 2.1 and weighted it is 2.7. I am currently in junior year with a 4.5 GPA and waiting for my 1st semester GPA. I take 2 AP classes and all the others are honors; I was never in sports or an extra curriculum. My parents have been unemployed also. What are my chances to receive financial aid or scholarships? What should I do within now and senior year to enhance my chances for those things? I’m planning to take 4-5 AP classes (and A’s them) during my senior year since i qualify for them. Would that help?
Thank You,
Michelle
Hey,
I just realized, after calculating, that my unweighted GPA was lower than I anticipated. When I first calculated it (i miscalculated it by the way) it was a 3.5, but now I realize that it is actually a 3.335. My weighted GPA (on a max 6.0 scale) is around a 5.1 which is pretty close to the top ten percent. My SAT score is a 2100, will this hurt my chances to the following schools? (I know you are not aware of all the other factors, but in general would it severely hurt my chances)
- Washington University in St. Louis
- University of Texas at Austin
- Case Western Reserve University
- University of Rochester
- Rice University
- Union College
Also will the colleges even consider my weighted GPA, since I have/am taking a total of 13 AP classes (that includes this year. So by end of my senior year I would have taken 13 classes)
Do colleges look at the type of grading scale a high school uses? The school my daughter goes to has a 7 point grading scale. She is taking 3 honors courses and has received a 92% in two of the classes and a 91% in the other ( all 3 considered Bs). Her report card shows she made 3 Bs and 4 As… is this all they look at? In that case she will only have a 3.8 and may lose out on scholarships. Any advise?
Jake,
The weighted GPA is used to determine your class rank. If you are among the top 10% of your class, then the “raw,” unweighted average will be balanced, in a way, but the class rank. Every student is judged within his educational context. Your decision to take so many AP classes is commendable (though it’s important to know what you scored on those exams, too!). Without reviewing all aspects of your academic record, I cannot really assess your chances at the universities list, but it sounds like you are a good student with a lot of great opportunities ahead of you. If you think I can be of greater help in assessing your particular chances, give us a ring and we’ll see if we can’t provide you with some personalized “great college advice.”
Good luck!
Hi, Michelle,
Without knowing all the details of your situation, it seems that you have turned yourself around and are really applying your skills and talents in the classroom. Congratulations. Colleges will certainly take note. When it comes to merit aid, all depends on which colleges you are considering. If your parents are not employed and have a modest income, you may apply for need-based aid, too. You should have a talk with your school counselor to brainstorm which colleges should receive your applications, and to discuss how to create a solid application that will highlight the changes you have made in your academic record. I think you’ll come out fine; but it will help to have some solid advice. We do work with some kids of modest income to help them make the right choices. The good thing is that you’ve already made the most important choice: to take your academic life seriously. Good luck!
Hello, my name is Luis Castro and I’m a sophomore in high school. A week before my first day in high school I had to move and unfortunately change schools, I was assigned with all regular classes, my GPA as well as my Class rank was around the 300 out of 700 (GPA :2.8). But, this year I was able to raise my GPA/Class rank to 3.977778 (rank: 43). My question is: Do I have a chance of being admitted to a good college/University? I’m really sorry for my ignorance, I just want to get that out of the way.
Which colleges consider the +/- on a letter grade? For example which selective colleges consider a B+ the same as a B-? Thank you
Thanks for the great advice. My son is currently doing very well with all weighted honors courses. He has all A’s and a high B in honors Geometry. We are taking your advice and quitting the honors program. He will have more time for sports…and since an “A” is an “A’…….he will get straight As in the mainstream program….with half the work. Great advice.
Thanks again!!!!
My daughter moved to TX in her 10th grade from NC. She has been doing great in academics in fact a rank 1 in class. We have been requesting her transcript every end of school year. However, this first semester of her 12th grade the school decided to exclude her grades earned when she was a freshman in NC with the reason that hey want to protect their students who have been in school since 9th grade. I find this unfair to my daughter because her GPA went down due to exclusions of those grades. Help me a good advice on this.
Hi, Bert,
I’d raise Cain. Go talk to the principal. But also know that it likely won’t make all that much difference in the end. If your daughter is a good student (obviously she is) and if she applies to colleges that suit her, she will likely have a great future. Certainly you should complain–why do kids who have been in the TX system get preferential treatment? Chauvinism, if you ask me. But be careful not to make everyone in the school mad at you (and at your daughter). Being too insistent could also backfire.
Best of luck to you and your daughter. Sounds like she has a great future ahead of her!
You’re welcome. Glad to know the information was helpful. But be careful…As in the mainstream program will not get him into the most selective colleges. Most selective colleges also will look at the rigor of his curriculum. So, yes, an “A” is an “A”. But an “A” in AP Chemistry is much more valuable–overall–than an “A” in regular junior year physical science.
Best of luck.
Benjamin,
Each college is different. But every college will consider a B+ to be better than a B-. Because it is, isn’t it? Thanks for writing in! Will the +/- be on your transcript? If so, colleges will take them into account.
Good luck!
Hi, Luis. Congratulations on your improvements. The answer hinges on what you define as “good.” Harvard? Probably not: you haven’t taken the hardest classes. Your state university? Depends on which one in which state. One thing is certain: your performance has improved. Keep it up. And as you choose classes for next year, step it up, too. Take harder classes in the things you are good in and that you enjoy. College is all about academic preparation. What you do today is not only going to help you get INTO college, it’s going to help you GRADUATE from college. Take the long view, Luis.
Best regards!
DeAnna,
Colleges look at the grading scale a school uses, and they look at the “Profile” of the school, too. So she will be judged in the context in which she is educated. As for scholarships, she will not “lose out” just because the grading system is different–at least not at the colleges themselves. They know how to interpret a 7-point scale.
Best regards!
Hi Mr. Montgomery!
I am an American citizen, and relocated to India when I was 8. I am now in Grade 10, and kinda want to move back to the US (for Grade 11) so that I can qulify as a resident and get the in-state fee waiver and/or possibly qualify for a scholarship. Now, since I did Grades 9 and 10 in India, and (maybe) about to do Grades 11 and 12 in the US, how will my 9th and 10th Grade GPA scores be converted? Do I just have to submit my avergae in each subject over that year? Also, how many APs should I take so that I can get into a really good university? I can handle a lot of workload, I think. And, I still don’t know what course/subject field I might me interested to do in college. Should I choose AP courses that I score well in, or am interested in? (As, sometimes, I might not be the best at a subject, although I might adore it – this might change though, as evaluation in Indian education systems is despicable, it requires rote learning, and answering from memory, not from our understanding.) I am considered quite a good student here. I hope that doesn’t change. So basically, by moving back for Grade 11, would I be missing out in any way?
Thanks for your time!:)
Arjun
Okay so know I am really confused my son just chose his 9th grade classes. Has been taking all honors classes and getting A’s now got accepted for all honors for 9th grade. I told councilor I was concern about the English and would it be better for him to take reg english and get A’s or honors and possibly get b’s she said honors B’s are more important then reg class A’s. What should we do ? Don’t want to mess up my sons future college choices.
Hi Patti,
This is a pretty common question and the answer is that it is better for your son to take the honors course and get an A! Really, you need to talk to your son about course load vs. quality of life. If he feels that taking the honors level course would be too much of a stretch for him, then he should consider the regular course.
Katherine Price
Senior Associate
Hello Arjun,
Very good questions. Transferring high schools from another country can be tricky. Most high schools will be able to take the grades you received in India and “translate” them into their GPA scale. Some high schools may restrict the number of APs you can enroll based on the courses you have previously taken. Others have a more “open” enrollment policy. You would need to research the high schools in the area you are planning on moving to. With regards to your questions about AP courses, you should take ones that interest you and that you would do well in. You have to find a balance between being academically challenged and still being able to achieve strong grades.
Good luck!
Katherine Price
Senior Associate
So I have so far a 4.1 weighted GPA and a 3.5 unweighted GPA. I took a few AP courses and at least 15 Honors. I play Varsity Soccer and Varsity Tennis as well as a member of Beta Club. I have no doubt that my SAT scores will come back 2000+ this time. I also have awards in Art and I’m a Romanian and Canadian citizen and fluent in English and Romanian. What colleges should I be looking at? What are my chances at the following schools? I live in NC by the way.
Washington University in St. Louis
Johns Hopkins
UNC Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania
Raul,
Your chances at all these universities is going to be very low. The are low for all human beings, no matter what achievements they have amassed. For me to pinpoint your chances more carefully, I’d need a lot more information. If you are a resident of NC, then your chances will be best at UNC. Let us know if you’d like to consider getting a more detailed picture of your admissions chances.
Best of luck!