<p>Do colleges truly look at your GPA? Is the GPA itself that important?</p>
<p>Or, is the GPA important just because it comes from your grades? I mean, colleges look at transcripts and take into consideration all the classes and grades instead of looking at the GPA like a standardized test score, right? Do they truly look at the number, or is it only important in the sense that it's an indirect effect of the transcript?</p>
<p>It makes me wonder why some people would often opt for easier courses to get a better GPA if they're all weighted the same way. After all, if let's say I have the same courseload and ECs as another student, except that I take multivariable and get a B+ (with an A in Calculus BC the year before), while another just takes Calculus BC and gets an A. While the other has the higher GPA, would colleges definitely prefer the first one if they're exactly the same in everything else (not likely in a real situation though)?</p>
<p>Selective colleges look for both; your taking the most rigerous coures that your school offers and doing well in those courses. This is why the school profile is important because most good profiles will talk about what is offered at your school.</p>
<p>a student with a higher gpa in a less rigerous program is not at an advantage. However, if the less rigerous program is al that the school offers it is in with this context the student will be evaluated.</p>
<p>If your school ranks, your class rank is definitely as important as the actual gpa itself b/c it says something about what that gpa means in context</p>
<p>The selective schools will rightly ascertain that the plum GPA but avoided a school's tougher offerings shows a person who isn't maximizing his/her scholarship opportunities. Why should they risk a slot in their institution for a person like this when there are plenty of applicants who show great dedication to academics? They won't. This would be a HUGE red flag.</p>