Hey guys, I'm hoping to apply to Sacramento State. I've been trying to calculate my GPA using their calculator but feeling a bit lost. Any tips or guidance on how to navigate it?
Sac State, like many colleges, has a unique GPA calculator to help prospective students measure their GPA according to the admissions criteria. Although it might seem daunting, using the GPA calculator is quite straightforward.
First, you need to know the University calculates GPA based on grades obtained in "a-g" courses only, which are specific course categories required by all UC and CSU schools. These include History, English, Math, Laboratory Science, Languages other than English, Visual and Performing Arts, and College Preparatory electives.
After that, the GPA measurement during your junior and senior year becomes more important as they use the grades in these years as an essential factor in determining admissions eligibility.
When starting to use the calculator, list out all the classes you've taken that fall within the "a-g" categories. Assign each grade a point value: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, and D=1 point.
Remember that Honors, AP, and IB courses often carry a weighted grade, so an A in one of these courses is worth 5 points, a B is 4, and a C is 3. Only up to 8 semesters — that's 4 year-long courses — of Honors, AP, or IB classes can be considered for the extra weight.
Once you've assigned points to your grades, sum up the total and divide it by the number of classes (or semesters) you've taken—that's your GPA!
Remember to regularly re-calculate your GPA as you complete courses, as it will provide insights into your academic progress. And don't forget, Sacramento State requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 for California residents, so make sure you're on track with your plan.
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