Hello everyone! I'm considering applying to Virginia Tech and I'm a bit confused about their GPA calculation process. What scale do they use, and how might they account for classes of differing difficulty levels? Thanks in advance for the help!
Virginia Tech like most universities, uses a 4.0 scale for GPA calculation. This means that an A (including A- grades) is typically valued at 4 points, a B at 3 points, a C at 2 points, a D at 1 point, and an F at 0 points.
However, Virginia Tech does have a grade replacement policy which allows students to retake a course in order to replace a grade below a C-. The policy states that if you get a better grade when you retake the course, the first grade will not count toward your GPA anymore. But keep in mind that both grades will still appear on your transcript.
In terms of classes of differing difficulty levels, it varies from school to school, but usually colleges consider the rigor of your courses when reviewing your transcripts. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Honors courses are typically viewed as more challenging, and it is taken into account. However, it's not clear whether Virginia Tech recalculates GPAs to account for class rigor.
It's always a good idea to reach out to the admissions office directly for the most accurate information for specific policies at the school. They could provide clarity on how they evaluate GPAs, including whether they utilize a weighted or unweighted scale, and how they factor in the rigor of your classes.
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