Hey guys, I was wondering which GPA is considered more important by colleges: weighted or unweighted? I'm trying to plan ahead and want to know which one I should focus on more. Any advice is appreciated!
Hey there! Both weighted and unweighted GPAs are considered by colleges, but they serve different purposes. Unweighted GPA tells colleges your performance without accounting for the difficulty of the classes you've taken. On the other hand, weighted GPA factors in the difficulty of courses (like honors, AP, or IB classes) to reward students who challenge themselves.
While unweighted GPAs provide a baseline comparison between students, colleges typically look at weighted GPAs to evaluate the rigor of your coursework and how well you did in those challenging courses. However, keep in mind that colleges often recalculate GPAs based on their own system and may consider other factors, like trends in your grades over time, as well.
Instead of solely focusing on one type of GPA, it's essential to maintain a balance of strong academic performance and rigorous coursework. Aim to take challenging courses that interest you and strive for high grades in them. This approach will generally improve both your weighted and unweighted GPAs and demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and willingness to challenge yourself to colleges. Good luck!
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