So my cumulative weighted GPA right now is a 4.479. I’m like 1 point away from finishing a class with an A+ versus an A, and long story short, if that were to happen, my senior year GPA would be a 4.52 versus a 4.46. I believe that if that factors into my cumulative GPA, I could have a GPA of either a 4.474 or a 4.489. I’m just wondering how significant this would be in college admissions, which might sound ridiculous, but essentially a 4.474 is slightly below my GPA avg from fresh - jr year, while a 4.52 shows an upward trend. And one ultimately boosts my final GPA, one slightly lowers it. I’m feeling really paranoid and like I HAVE to earn the A+ in that one class to impress reach colleges. Your thoughts??
This is on a 5.0 scale btw
I think you’re freaking out about numbers.
What has to happen in order for you to get the numbers you so desperately need. When are the tests, what projects are due? How’s your homework? Your quiz averages? Your participation.
Of course, I’m fairly confident that colleges care more about the past 12 years-- and the past 4 in particular, then they care about that single point you’re so worried about. But there’s nothing you can do about the past; you can only change the future. So instead of freaking out about that point, earn it.
I suggest you find something to occupy your spare time until decisions come out. Volunteer as a math tutor to younger high school kids. That will help calm you down.
You need something else to focus on. But a few additional thoughts:
• 6 basis points will not impact your admissions decisions
• Since there is not common metric for weighting, most colleges look at UW, or weight according to their parameters.
• Since an A+ is not universal in secondary education (fortunately), most colleges view an A as equal to an A+ as equal to 4.0.
“I’m feeling really paranoid and like I HAVE to earn the A+ in that one class to impress reach colleges. Your thoughts??”
Respectfully, I think you are completely missing the point of holistic admissions at tippy top colleges.
If this is the thing you are “freaking out” about then you have a truly blessed life. Move on.
"I’m feeling really paranoid and like I HAVE to earn the A+ in that one class to impress reach colleges. "
This would be enough for me to recommend denying admission even (or maybe especially) if you had an A+ in every class. Universities are filled with too many students who are focused only or solely on grades and whose creativity and willingness to take some academic risks have been nearly or completely decimated. I’d rather the classes were filled with B students willing to engage in conversation about content rather than grade talk than a class filled with A students whose big concerns are “what’s on the test” and “I need an A”. That is soul killing!
I agree that if this has you freaked out, you truly have a blessed life.
On a personal note, my D was very similar to you until well into HS…that’s when she began to change. Senior year she went on a college interview for a pretty selective school and was asked this question: What is your proudest accomplishment?
My daughter thought about it for a few seconds and then told the interviewer that her proudest accomplishment in HS was how she learned not to freak out about losing a point, and that she learned the value of learning for enjoyment and not for the sole purpose of earning the A+. This was an honest answer and she had no idea how it would be received.
The interviewer told D that most students answer with “I earned xx award, I came in first place” etc. She told my D that she’s really not allowed to say this…but she knocked her answer right out of the ballpark.
Schools are not looking for students who spend their time obsessing over an A versus A+. Please relax and focus on other things.
(FYI she was waitlisted …but not because of her grades)
Are you a senior? I would relax… enjoy HS… do activities that you enjoy… spend time with friends and family. The years go way too fast to worry about this, and it is not good for your mental health.