Weighted vs Unweighted GPA: Which is better?

Hey folks, I've heard a lot about both weighted and unweighted GPAs. Which one do colleges prefer? Is one significantly better than the other for admissions? Thanks for any help!

The consideration of weighted versus unweighted GPA depends on the college and the specific context of each student's high school curriculum. Both types of GPA serve different purposes, so let's talk about the key differences and how they matter in college admissions.

Weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty of a student's course load, with higher values given to honors, AP, or IB classes. This means that, for example, a student who earns a B in an AP class might have a higher weighted GPA than if they had gotten an A in a regular class. Weighted GPAs can often be higher than 4.0 because of the additional points for advanced courses. Universities often look at weighted GPA, as it reflects a student's course rigor and willingness to take on academic challenges.

On the other hand, unweighted GPA removes the extra weight from advanced courses, so it's calculated on a standard 4.0 scale, with an A being worth 4 points. This type of GPA provides a more consistent comparison between applicants because it accounts purely for the grades earned, regardless of the courses' difficulty.

Ultimately, colleges consider both types of GPAs when evaluating applications. However, they typically place more emphasis on the academic context provided by the weighted GPA, as it shows both the grades earned and course rigor a student has pursued. In the admissions process, colleges often recalculate your GPA based on their own scales to ensure they're making fair and consistent comparisons across applicants from different high schools.

That being said, it's essential to remember that colleges use a holistic admissions process, meaning they will not solely focus on your GPA—weighted or unweighted. They will also look at various other factors, such as test scores (for schools not test-optional or test-blind), extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters. The GPA is just one aspect of your overall application, but pursuing challenging courses and maintaining a strong GPA will definitely help your chances of admission.