I'm curious if colleges look at your weighted GPA (with extra points for honors and AP classes) or your unweighted GPA when reviewing your application. Any insight would be appreciated!
Colleges consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs during the admissions process. However, it's important to understand that different colleges may weigh these GPAs differently.
Weighted GPAs account for the rigor of your coursework by giving additional points for honors and AP classes. Unweighted GPAs, on the other hand, only factor in the actual grades you earned in your classes, without considering the difficulty level. An unweighted GPA is usually measured on a 4.0 scale, while weighted GPAs often go higher, like 5.0 or 6.0, depending on the school's system.
Many colleges, especially selective ones, appreciate the additional challenge that a rigorous course load represents and will pay attention to the weighted GPA to determine the level of challenge the applicant took on. They may also recalculate GPAs using their own method, taking into consideration both the rigor of your courses and your actual grades.
In summary, colleges will look at both your weighted and unweighted GPA and may even recalculate them by their standards. To strengthen your application, it's beneficial to challenge yourself with rigorous courses while maintaining a solid unweighted GPA.
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