Do Colleges Look At Weighted or Unweighted GPAs?

When colleges admit new students, they look at several factors to determine who would be a good fit. One critical factor is your high school grade point average or GPA. A college admissions officer can look at your grades in high school and guess what type of learner you were and how seriously you applied yourself to your classes. Some schools also consider additional factors like the difficulty levels of classes you take while in school.

It may leave you wondering, "Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA?" What exactly is the difference? This article will explain that and more.  

How is GPA calculated?  

Your GPA is a numerical average assigned to you based on the letter grades you earn in your classes. Most schools typically use a 4.0 GPA scale, where an A equals 4.0 grade points. The rest of the grades follow suit with a B equal to 3.0  points, a C equal to 2.0 points, a D equal to 1.0 points, and an F equal to 0.0 points.  

So, if you take four classes and earn As in each, you would average it by adding 4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0 + 4.0, which equals 16.0. Then, you would divide 16.0 by the number of classes, which, in this case, is four. Finally, 16.0 divided by four equals 4.0. Your GPA is a 4.0.   

If you take four classes and earn an A, B, C, and D, you would add 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0, which equals 10.0. You would then divide 10.0 by the number of classes. Your GPA is a 2.5.   

Your GPA will also break letter grades down even further into B+, B, and B-, etc., and assign each letter a unique number. In this instance, a B+ is worth 3.3 points, a B is worth 3.0 points, and a B- is worth 2.7 points. The rest of the grades follow the same pattern, where a C+ is worth 2.3 points, and a C- is worth 1.7 points. 

Some schools also use completely different scales, such as a 6.0 scale, which is why it’s advisable to check with the school you’re considering applying to to gain a better understanding of how they view GPA. 

What is an unweighted GPA?   

When you calculate your GPA using the above method, it's called an unweighted GPA. This means that schools measure every class similarly without considering the class type or how challenging it might have been for students. Unweighted GPAs offer a less complicated, easy-to-understand metric, but some people think this approach disadvantages students who take more advanced and challenging classes. 

What is a weighted GPA?   

This type of GPA considers the difficulty of your classes. More advanced classes, honor classes, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes may pull more weight when calculating your GPA. For example, if you make a C in a regular English class, it will likely translate to a 2.0. If you earn a C in an Advanced Placement English class, you might receive a higher number. For example, a school might consider an A in the AP class either 4.5 or 5.0 points depending on how they constructed their scale.

Again, every school is different, so it's always best to see how they weigh and calculate your GPA. Some schools may even limit how many extra points you can earn by taking more difficult classes.   

Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPAs? 

While every college has its own unique standards and admissions requirements, many of them look at both your unweighted and weighted GPAs. However, many colleges value the type of courses you’ve taken and the degree to which you challenged yourself. If they see that you pushed yourself to take harder classes, it gives them more of an idea of who you are and the types of human skills you possess. 

Your classmate who only took standard classes may have a 4.0 GPA. On the other hand, you may have taken a mix of standard and more advanced classes and have a 3.7 GPA. Some college admissions officers may see you as the more favorable candidate for admission to their school. 

What is a good GPA for college admissions? 

Because schools often seek more well-rounded students who go above and beyond the minimum requirements, you won't find any one specific "good GPA" for college admissions.  However, the more competitive the school you're applying to, the higher you'll want your GPA to be. 

The College Foundation of North Carolina suggests that to get into a more selective college, you may need a 3.8 or higher, but many schools will consider you with a 3.0 or above [1]. Some schools will consider admitting you even if you have a 2.0, but you may need to meet additional requirements, such as making a certain score on the ACT or SAT or meeting a certain rank requirement in your high school class. 

How can I raise my GPA before college? 

If you currently have a low GPA and want to attend college, you can still improve. It just takes some dedication. These tips may help:

• Drop courses you struggle with, especially if they are optional for graduation.

• Add advanced courses to your schedule if you feel you can do well in them. 

• Meet with an advisor or counselor and ask for advice. 

• Cut back on extracurricular activities. 

• Choose classes that interest you so it's easier to focus and learn. 

• Show up to class daily so you can get all the important information. 

• Get ample rest and downtime to minimize your risk of burnout.

• Consider working with a tutor in classes in which you struggle.

• Make school your top priority for the semester.

• Participate in class.  

What other factors do colleges look at besides GPA?  

While your GPA can have a major impact on whether or not a college admits you, it's not the only factor that affects the decision. The types of courses you took may play a more significant role. For example, some colleges may look more favorably upon a B in an AP class than an A in a standard class. However, considerations may include: 

• Participation in extracurricular activities, like clubs and sports

• Well-written college admissions essays

• Proof of interest in your area of study

• Proof of interest in the school itself 

• Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors, administrators, employers, and other people of authority

• High ACT and SAT scores

• Community service participation 

• Jobs and internships

• Awards and honors you may have earned

• Talents and skills that make you stand out among other applicants

Getting started with Coursera 

On Coursera, you'll find several courses designed to help prepare you for college. Enhance your college application after taking Applying to College 101, offered by the University of Pennsylvania. Improve your English skills with English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate offered by Rice University. Or simply prepare for school with U101: Understanding College and College Life from the University of Washington.