Weighted VS Unweighted Grades: What's the difference?

Hey guys, I'm a little confused about weighted and unweighted grades. What's the difference between the two? And when it comes to college applications, which one is more important?

Hey there! I understand how weighted and unweighted grades can be confusing, so let me help clarify the difference for you.

Weighted grades take into account the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken, adding a higher "weight" to grades in more challenging classes like AP, IB, or Honors courses. For example, an A in an AP course might be worth 5 points instead of the usual 4 points that an A would be worth in a regular course. This, in turn, can lead to a higher overall GPA.

Unweighted grades, on the other hand, do not account for the difficulty of your coursework. All class grades are given the same point value, typically on a 4.0 scale. For example, an A would always be worth 4 points, regardless if the class was regular, Honors, or AP.

When it comes to the college application process, both types of grades are important. Colleges are generally more concerned with unweighted grades to compare applicants’ academic achievements on a level playing field. However, they'll also pay close attention to weighted grades, as well as your transcript, to see the rigor of the classes you've taken. Schools often recalculate applicants' GPAs according to their own weighting system.

So, it's not just about having a high unweighted or weighted GPA but also the context of the courses you've taken and how you've challenged yourself. Balance is key—aim for a strong unweighted GPA while still taking a rigorous course load that reflects your interests and abilities.

I hope this clears up the confusion! Good luck with your college applications!