Weighted or unweighted GPAs – what do colleges take?

When applying to college, do they generally take weighted or unweighted GPAs into consideration? My school calculates both, and there's a pretty big difference between the two. I want to make sure I'm focusing on the right one when presenting my academic performance to colleges. Any advice?

Colleges typically consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs when reviewing applications. However, they mainly focus on the unweighted GPA in order to make a fair comparison across applicants from different high schools, as schools may use different weighting scales for their weighted GPAs. Despite this, the weighted GPA still holds value, as it provides context about the rigor of the courses you took.

Admissions officers will also look at your transcript to better understand your academic background. They want to see if you've challenged yourself with advanced courses such as AP, IB, or honors classes. The weighted GPA helps showcase your willingness to take on challenging courses, as it accounts for the additional difficulty of these classes.

Ultimately, you should pay attention to both the unweighted and weighted GPAs, but don't stress too much about the numbers alone. Colleges take a holistic approach when reviewing applications, so your essays, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation will also contribute to their assessment of your candidacy. Focus on maintaining strong overall academic performance, engaging in meaningful extracurricular activities, and demonstrating your unique qualities through the various components of your application.