Impact of Electives on GPA

I was wondering about something...do electives count towards GPA? I'm picking my classes for next year and want to know how this could impact my academic standings.

Most high schools indeed count electives toward your overall GPA. Course credit and contribution to GPA generally don't discriminate between electives and core classes. However, weighted GPAs can be influenced by the level of rigor in the class. For instance, an AP or honors course might be weighted more heavily than a standard-level course or an elective.

Here's an example to put things in perspective: If a student earns an 'A' in an AP class at a school where AP classes are weighted, that 'A' might translate to a 5.0 on the GPA scale, whereas an 'A' in a non-weighted elective class would contribute 4.0 to the GPA. If your school does weight certain classes, keep this in mind when planning your schedule.

Essentially, if you're looking to boost your GPA, and your school offers weighted electives (like honors or AP electives), those might offer a slight advantage. But most importantly, you should prioritize taking electives that you enjoy and are truly interested in, as these classes can enrich your high school experience and enhance your college applications by highlighting your personal interests and commitment.