Understanding a 4.7 GPA

I'm really curious about how a 4.7 GPA works. Can someone explain the grading scale related to this? Are weighted GPAs always higher?

A 4.7 GPA is considered a weighted GPA, meaning it accounts for advanced classes like honors, AP, or IB courses. The weighted GPA scale usually ranges from 0.0 to 5.0, as opposed to the unweighted GPA scale, which only goes up to 4.0.

Here's a basic breakdown of the GPA conversion for a weighted system:

- A+: 4.5 or 5.0 (depends on the school's grading scale)

- A: 4.0

- A-: 3.7

- B+: 3.3

- B: 3.0

- B-: 2.7

- C+: 2.3

- C: 2.0

- C-: 1.7

- D: 1.0

- F: 0.0

In the case of a 4.7 GPA, the student would have earned mostly As in advanced classes (honors, AP, or IB). These classes typically add a certain amount of points to the unweighted GPA value, such as an additional 0.5 points for honors classes and a full point for AP or IB courses. For example, if a student receives an A in an AP class, their weighted GPA for that class would be a 5.0.

Weighted GPAs are meant to reflect the additional rigor and challenge of advanced courses, acknowledging that students took a more difficult curriculum. That's why weighted GPAs are often higher than unweighted. However, keep in mind that each school calculates weighted GPAs differently, and some colleges may recalculate your GPA based on their specific criteria during the admissions process.

In general, a 4.7 weighted GPA is considered very competitive and indicates a high level of academic achievement in challenging courses.