Comments on: Weighted or Unweighted GPA?

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:42:52 +0000

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!

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:25:34 +0000

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!

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:15:21 +0000

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!

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:29:05 +0000

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.

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:26:46 +0000

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!

By: Bert

Bert — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:04:38 +0000

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.

By: Scott Whaley

Scott Whaley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:38:45 +0000

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!!!!

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:26:51 +0000

Which colleges consider the +/- on a letter grade? For example which selective colleges consider a B+ the same as a B-? Thank you

By: Luis F. Castro

Luis F. Castro — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:49:35 +0000

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.

By: Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:07:22 +0000

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!