How do weighted GPAs work in high school?

Hey guys, I'm a rising high school junior and feeling a bit lost. How do weighted GPAs work exactly? Like, does taking more AP or IB classes affect it significantly? Anything I should keep in mind while choosing classes for senior year?

Weighted GPAs are meant to reflect the rigor of the courses you've taken throughout high school. They attempt to account for the fact that advanced or rigorous courses, such as AP and IB classes, are more challenging and require more effort and understanding than regular or less-rigorous ones.

In most high schools, a regular class on a 4.0 scale will have grades valued as follows:

- A = 4.0

- B = 3.0

- C = 2.0

- D = 1.0

- F = 0.

For a weighted class, like an AP, IB, or Honors class, an extra point (or sometimes 0.5 in case of Honors) is added. So, if you get an 'A' in an AP or IB class, it could be worth 5.0 points instead of the 4.0 points it would be for a regular class. This addition allows students taking more challenging courses to get a GPA over a 4.0.

So yes, taking more AP or IB classes does significantly affect your weighted GPA, often inflating it above a 4.0. However, it's important not to overload yourself with APs or IBs just for the sake of boosting your GPA. You should be genuinely interested in the subject, confident in your ability to handle the workload, and see the course as beneficial for your future academic or career plans.

When choosing classes for your junior and senior years, aim to strike a healthy balance between rigor and manageability. If you must choose between an extra AP class and an extracurricular activity where you can take up a leadership position or have a meaningful impact, I would advise considering the latter. Colleges are also interested in your extracurricular involvement and demonstration of skills such as leadership, dedication, and creativity. It's all about finding the right balance for you!