How do British college grades transfer to U.S. colleges?

I'm thinking about transferring from a British college to a U.S. one, but I'm not sure how my grades will be evaluated. What do U.S. colleges consider when assessing international grades, and how do they convert them to a GPA?

The process of converting international grades to a U.S. equivalent GPA can be complicated as grading systems vary widely around the world. With that said, here's a general overview of how it is usually done:

U.S. colleges will often use a credential evaluation service to convert your British grades to a U.S. GPA. These organizations specialize in understanding and interpreting international educational systems. They analyze your marks within the context of your country's specific method of education.

In terms of British grades, A-levels are often used in the conversion, and degree classifications (if applicable) might also be taken into account. As a general rule, the UK "First" is usually considered a 4.0 GPA in the U.S. system, an "Upper Second" (2:1) as a 3.3, and a "Lower Second" (2:2) as a 2.7. But this is a rough estimate and individual colleges may process the conversions differently.

Remember, this conversion process is only one part of your admission evaluation. U.S. colleges also examine your course rigor, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, essays, and more, to make a holistic decision about your application. International students, like you, often offer valuable unique perspectives and experiences that can add to the diversity of a college's campus, which is an aspect admissions officers value. It's a good idea to contact the admissions offices of the specific colleges you're interested in to get more detailed information about how they handle international grade conversions.