Cal Poly Admissions GPA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
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<p>Sorry if this has been asked before. I realize Cal Poly calculates the admissions GPA based on all a-g courses taken in grades 9-11 including approved language and math hs courses taken in middle school. </p>

<p>Doesn’t the maximum possible GPA get diluted if more semesters are taken?</p>

<p>Example: 34 semesters of A’s, 8 honors points= 4.24 GPA<br>
52 semesters of A’s, 8 honors points= 4.15 GPA </p>

<p>It is typical in my block schedule hs to have at least 48 semesters of a-g in grades 9-11, 16 per year. My middle school offers four semester of language, and 2 semesters Alg I, and 2 semesters Geometry. (so actually 56 semesters minus 4 semesters PE would be 52 semesters). The hs in the next town 12 semesters per year is typical with 2 years PE.</p>

<p>I know that there is consideration for rigor, but in an all A’s example–there is a negative effect right from the start.
Am I missing something? I’m figuring they max out the GPA, but hopefully they max out the number of A’s that go into the calculation, rather cutting off the calculation chronologically. Example from above the student with 52 semesters could have 34 A’s and because they took more–they are at a disadvantage for any grade calculated in 35-52 extra semesters.</p>

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<p>You are correct. More total semesters dilutes the impact of the 8 AB/IB/honors semesters on GPA. They cap GPA at 4.2 in the MCA score and I believe only count high school level math taken in middle school, but not other courses like languages. I’m not positive though, so you should check with admissions. </p>

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<p>Thanks. So someone can have 40 semesters all A’s for a 4.2 (with 8 AP/honors) for a 4.2. But if someone takes more than 40 semesters of a-g courses and gets something other than an A they will have a lower GPA. Do you know if they see if an applicant has at least 40 semesters of A’s for the 4.2 GPA cap, and therefore the 42-52 semester grades won’t dilute the GPA?</p>

4

<p>I do not. It would be worth calling admissions though. When my son went through the process, he found them friendly and helpful on several occasions.</p>