GPA Questions: Weighted vs. Unweighted

Hi, I'm neck-deep in my junior year right now. But, the distinction between weighted and unweighted GPAs is causing some confusion. Can anyone break down the difference between them for me? And which one do colleges tend to look at more?

Sure, I'd be happy to help make clear the difference between weighted and unweighted GPAs!

An unweighted GPA is the most straightforward measurement of your academic performance. It assigns a grade point value to every class you take, regardless of the level of difficulty. In most U.S. high schools, it operates on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0. For example, an A might earn you a 4.0, a B a 3.0, a C a 2.0, and so forth.

A weighted GPA, on the other hand, takes into account the difficulty of your coursework. Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes will usually be given a scale that goes up to 5.0 or even 6.0. By weighting these courses, your GPA can reflect the extra effort required to excel in more challenging classes.

Now, as to which colleges look at more? It varies. Many colleges recalculate GPAs based on their own scales when they evaluate applications. Some schools prefer looking at unweighted GPAs as they want to directly compare students' raw academic performance. Others might look at weighted GPAs to acknowledge the rigorous courses a student has taken. However, it's often not just about the numbers. Admissions officers typically look at your transcript to see what classes you took and how you performed in them, rather than just looking at your GPA on its own.

Overall, maintaining a balance between class difficulty and strong grades is a key strategy. You shouldn't overload yourself with challenging classes if it means your grades will suffer. However, you also don't want to take a bunch of easy classes just to get straight A's. Admissions officers appreciate students who show they're ready for college-level work and are willing to challenge themselves academically.

Remember, your GPA is just one factor in the admissions process. Extracurricular activities, essays, standardized test scores (if the college is not test-blind), letters of recommendation, and other components all contribute to your overall application. Colleges want to admit students who will contribute positively to their community, and your GPA is just one part of that.