Hey folks, I'm looking into Boston University (BU) for next year and just wondering how I calculate my GPA for their standards. Do they use weighted or unweighted GPA? Any specifics I should know about how they calculate it? Feeling lost and stressed out, so thanks in advance.
Hi there! It's totally normal to feel a bit stressed about this, but don't worry, it's not as complicated as it can seem.
Boston University, like many universities, doesn't publicly specify whether they prefer weighted or unweighted GPAs, but they do look at your GPA within the context of your high school's offerings.
This means that if your school offers Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors courses, BU will take into consideration if you have taken these rigorous courses and how you have performed in them. A higher-weighted GPA because of these rigorous courses could, therefore, be beneficial to you.
As for calculating your GPA, your high school guidance office should be able to provide you with your weighted and unweighted GPAs, as GPA calculations can vary based on specific high school grading scales and practices.
If you want to get an idea on your own, a general way to calculate unweighted GPA is to assign 4 points to an A, 3 points to a B, 2 points to a C, and 1 point to a D. Add the points for all the classes you've taken and divide by the total number of classes. For a weighted GPA, you would typically add 1 point to your grade for an Honors class, and 1 or 2 points for AP or IB classes.
Remember, though, the calculated GPA you submit on your application should come from your transcripts or your high school guidance office to ensure accuracy.
And remember, while your GPA is an important part of your application, BU takes a holistic approach to admissions, so they'll be looking at your test scores (if you choose to submit them), essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities too! Take a breath and try not to stress too much about one single aspect of your application. Good luck with everything!
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