What's the difference: GPA Weighted vs. Unweighted

Stressed out junior here. My school reports both a weighted and unweighted GPA, and I'm unsure what the difference is. What does GPA weighting mean and how does it affect my college application process?

Weighted and unweighted GPAs are two ways of measuring a student's academic performance, but they differ how they take into account the rigor of the courses a student took.

An unweighted GPA is calculated on a scale of 0 to 4.0, where A translates to 4.0, B to 3.0, C to 2.0, D to 1.0, and F to a 0. This calculation is straightforward and does not consider the rigor of the classes you've taken, meaning an A in an AP class is the same as an A in a standard class.

Conversely, a weighted GPA includes additional points for classes that are considered more challenging, such as honors, AP or IB classes. The scale usually goes up to 5.0, but some schools may use a different scale. In a 5-point scale, an A in an AP class would be 5.0.

In terms of college applications, most colleges look at both unweighted and weighted GPAs to assess your academic performance. They use your unweighted GPA to compare you to other students regardless of school (since different schools have different numbers of advanced classes), but they consult your weighted GPA to understand how you've challenged yourself with the curriculum available to you. Nonetheless, it's important to note that each college has its own way of recalculating GPA, so they might not use either the weighted or unweighted GPA exactly as your high school calculates them.

Keep in mind that colleges also consider the rigor of your course schedule, so don't shy away from taking challenging classes. It can demonstrate your willingness to challenge yourself and your readiness for rigorous college coursework.