Why do some colleges look at unweighted GPA for scholarships?

I've noticed that some scholarship applications ask for unweighted GPA instead of weighted. What’s the reasoning behind this preference, and how does it impact my chances of receiving a scholarship?

When colleges request for unweighted GPA in scholarship applications, they are looking for a raw indicator of your academic performance that is free from any extra points which you might earn from participating in accelerated or advanced courses. Unweighted GPA provides an equal ground for comparison across a variety of schools and curriculums, as the ways to calculate weighted GPA can vary from one institution to another, causing discrepancies in the interpretation of applicants' academic performance.

Using the unweighted GPA enables universities to assess your basic academic abilities without considering the level of rigor involved in your coursework. Effectively, they are keen on understanding how well you perform under a standard educational framework.

However, note that just because they require your unweighted GPA for a scholarship doesn't mean they'll ignore the rigor of your high school classes. Admissions officers will still review your transcript and note the difficulty of the classes you’ve taken. For instance, taking a higher number of advanced courses may positively influence your scholarship eligibility, even when your weighted GPA isn’t specifically asked for.

As for how this impacts your chance of receiving scholarships, a high unweighted GPA typically demonstrates consistent high performance across the board which could boost your chances significantly. But, remember, scholarships are rarely awarded based on academic metrics alone, so make sure to showcase your extracurricular involvement, leadership skills, and personal achievements as well. These other elements can complement your strong academic record when being considered for scholarships.