<p>When admissions counselors review applications, will the GPA or individual semester grades on the transcript weigh more? Which do they look at first and which is more important? </p>
<p>Most selective colleges want to see your grades in context, so they won’t take your GPA at face value. Different high schools calculate GPA differently, especially weighted GPA. </p>
<p>Transcript always. GPA is shorthand without much meaning, they want to see what created that GPA.</p>
<p>Ditto. Admissions folks are experienced with reviewing transcripts for course rigor, grades, strength of program, etc. Many will recalculate the gpa using their own standards.</p>