Weighted GPA vs. Unweighted GPA: How are they different?

I'm trying to understand how colleges look at GPA and I'm a bit confused about the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA. I know that some schools offer extra points for honors or AP classes, but how does this translate into these two types of GPA? Do colleges prefer one over the other, and how should I consider this when planning my junior year schedule? I'd love to hear how other students have dealt with this.

Weighted and Unweighted GPA are indeed two different ways of calculating a student's academic performance, which serves different purposes.

Weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty level of the courses that you take, such as honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Essentially, schools add "extra points" (often an additional 1 point for honors and 1.5 points for AP and IB classes). This can lead to a GPA that is higher than 4.0. This method allows the school to recognize students who have chosen more rigorous classes and potentially differentiates between students who make an 'A' in an easier class versus an 'A' in a harder one.

Unweighted GPA, on the other hand, assigns the same value to all grades—regardless of the difficulty of the course. This means that an 'A' in an AP class is considered the same as an 'A' in a standard class. With this scale, the highest GPA one can achieve is typically a 4.0.

As for your question about what colleges prefer, both weighted and unweighted GPAs are important. Colleges want to see that students challenge themselves within their school's offered curriculum, so a high weighted GPA can show them you've taken rigorous classes and performed well. However, they also consider unweighted GPA to see how you've performed on a standard 4.0 scale.

When planning your junior year schedule, consider your own capabilities and interests. It's always a good idea to challenge yourself with higher-level courses - but not to the point where you're overwhelmed or your grades drop. Remember, colleges are interested in seeing consistent or improving academic performance over the years, so taking on too heavy a course load and then struggling with it might not be beneficial.

The decision on whether to focus more on the weighted or unweighted GPA often comes down to individual college admission policies, so it might also be beneficial to research the colleges you're interested in applying to and see if they have a specific preference or calculation style. Good luck with your academic journey!