Weighing my Weighted GPA

I've been stressing over my GPA as I start to look at colleges, and I realized I don't know the first thing about calculating my weighted GPA. Is it a standard process or does it vary based on school district? Anyone have a step-by-step guide?

Sure, I can give you a general overview of how a weighted GPA generally works. Do remember though: different high schools may have slightly different calculations. You should check with your counselor for the specifics of your school's system.

Here's a rough guide on how to calculate a weighted GPA:

1. Assign a point value to your grades: Usually, an A equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, and so forth.

2. Select an additional weight for honors and AP courses: Many schools assign additional points to an 'A' in an AP or honors class. The weightings will vary, but a typical system offers one extra point for AP classes and 0.5 of a point for honors classes.

3. Multiply each class's point value by the number of credits: If your school uses a credit system (where some classes are worth more than others), you would multiply each class's point value by the number of credits the class is worth. For example, if you have an A in a 4-credit class, the total points would be 16 (4 points for an A times 4 credits).

4. Add all the points together: Add up the total points from all your classes.

5. Divide by the total credits attempted: Finally, divide your total points by the total credits attempted to get your GPA.

Typically, you should calculate the GPA for all of your high school years, not just a single year, but again, talk with your counselor to assure you're doing it correctly for your school. Remember, colleges will get information about your high school's grading and GPA calculation structure, so don't stress too much about the nuances. They’ll assess your academic performance within the context provided.