Understanding Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA

Can someone explain the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA? I'm kinda confused about how each is calculated and which one colleges care more about. How should I factor these into my college applications?

Sure, happy to explain! It's a common point of confusion but important to understand for when you apply to colleges.

An unweighted GPA is a simple average of all your grades. Here, an A (regardless if it's in an honors, AP, or a regular class) has the same value - 4.0, a B is 3.0, and so on. It doesn't take the difficulty of your courses into account, so the highest possible unweighted GPA is usually a 4.0.

A weighted GPA, on the other hand, factors in course difficulty. Typically, more rigorous courses (such as APs or dual enrollment classes) are on a 5.0 scale. So if you get an A in an AP class, it would be a 5.0 instead of a 4.0. A B in an AP class would be a 4.0 instead of a 3.0, reflecting the greater challenge of these classes. That means the highest possible weighted GPA is usually over 4.0, often based on how many higher-level courses you have taken.

Colleges do care about both GPA types, but they view them in different lights. An unweighted GPA can help them see your overall academic performance across all your courses, while the weighted GPA communicates how well you performed in more challenging, higher-level classes.

However, every college has a different method of evaluating these GPAs. Some may prioritize the weighted GPA more because it shows your academic rigor. Others may recalculate both GPAs based on their internal rubric. What's important is to do well regardless of the class difficulty—aim for high grades in both regular and challenging classes.

When it comes to your college application, it's typically your school that sends your GPA (both types if they calculate both) to the colleges you're applying to as part of your official high school transcript. However, you can also note your GPA in the Academic Profile section of your applications.

Also worth noting: if you're aiming for the most selective colleges, know that nearly all accepted students have high grades in challenging classes, so both GPAs are effectively high.

In summary, strive to perform well in your classes, take challenging courses when you can handle them, and maintain an upward trend. All of these will reflect positively on your application.