Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Institutional GPA vs Overall GPA

What's the difference between institutional GPA and overall GPA? When applying to colleges, which one are admissions officers more likely to consider?

a year ago

The difference between institutional GPA and overall GPA lies in the courses they encompass. Institutional GPA refers to the grade point average calculated for courses taken at a specific institution (your current high school, for example). Overall GPA, on the other hand, considers all courses taken, including those from other schools, dual enrollment programs, or study abroad experiences.

When applying to colleges, admissions officers tend to place more emphasis on the institutional GPA, as it provides a more focused and relevant understanding of a student's academic performance at their high school. The institutional GPA better reflects how the student has performed in the context of their school's curriculum and grading standards, and it can be more easily compared with the outcomes of their high school peers.

However, that's not to say that the overall GPA is unimportant. If you have taken classes outside of your high school, such as in dual enrollment or study abroad programs, the overall GPA provides a more comprehensive picture of your academic capacities and achievements. These additional courses can add to the rigor of your high school program, and good performance in them may demonstrate your ability to succeed in different academic settings.

Ultimately, both institutional and overall GPAs matter but for different reasons. Keep in mind that colleges look at a range of factors in addition to GPAs, such as course rigor, class rank, standardized test scores (if applicable), essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. So, while your institutional GPA may be considered more heavily, ensure that all components of your application reflect your academic abilities and unique qualities.

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.