A minus and A importance??!

Applying to College
1

Hello my schools like a lot of other schools have A-s. I find it kinda unfair because most high schools in my county has it where a 90 is a solid 4.0 A. I have always been and 91-92 A- student in rigorous classes but my A- classes are 3.7 GPA. I don’t know if I should be worried considering I want to go to a top 20 school. Do top colleges know this and look at an A- as A’s? I am in all rigorous honors and AP classes with a good weighted GPA.

2

Colleges will view your transcript within the context off your school. The school will send along a profile which lists the grading metrics, and usually, other things like GPA distribution, SAT/ACT distributions, past college matriculations, and the like. Don’t worry about what other high schools do - you can’t control that.

3

You do not want to worry yourself into admissions corners!!! Wanting to attend a top 20 school is enough pressure without fretting over things you don’t control. Consider thinking more broadly about the many excellent schools you might attend. What suffering would you experience if you attended the 21st school and even lower ranked colleges and universities?

4

anyone please, will take any input.

5

It is what it is. What other answers are you expecting?

6

OK, I’ll give you some additional input. Colleges will see you school profile, which explains its grading system, and they’ll interpret your grades as they see fit. I expect they’ll see A-'s as A-'s, not as A’s.

Realistically, top 20 colleges aren’t looking for kids that barely get A’s; they’re looking for kids who screw up the curve for everyone else, the top achievers.

7

A few comments:

  1. It is absolutely not “unfair” that your HS gives out minuses. Many many high schools do. As noted above each HS will send a school profile that describes (among other things) the levels of courses offered and the grading system so each transcript is reviewed in the proper context. College admissions officers will view an A- as an A- (not an A).

  2. Even if you don’t like your HS grading system, you should not waste time and energy worrying about things outside of your control. What IS in your control is to do the best you can n the most challenging classes you can handle.

  3. Don’t dream about “top 20” or any other schools yet. You are a sophomore with one year of a GPA and no standardized tests. When the time comes (mid-junior year) honestly asses your academic stats (including GPA, standardized tests, course rigor) as well as your financial needs. Create an application list with wide range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (you will have to run a net price calculator for each school you consider) and that you would be happy to attend. You need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there where you can have a great 4 year experience and get where you want to go in life.

8

Almost half of my kid’s As were A-s, and my kid got into Stanford REA. Many were B+s until the last Final test or Final project. Got into Berkeley and other UCs. In fact, got into all schools.