<p>My S is a Junior in High school and presently has an unweighted GPA of 3.94. I see that most of the Emory scholar's have an ugpa of 4.0....how much of a disadvantage is this? what are his chances?</p>
<p>Does Emory calc gpa's differently for AP courses? How is the rigor of an AP course taken into account?</p>
<p>A 3.94 unweighted GPA is not only perfectly respectable, but it looks great. There's not that much difference between that and a 4.0. No one here will be able to calculate your son's chances just from his GPA - without standardized testing, extracurriculars, awards, etc. The whole picture is important.</p>
<p>Emory will encourage your son to take the most rigorous courseload possible. Top colleges want to see you challenge yourself. I doubt they have a specific formula for recalculating GPAs, as APs are different in rigor and in quantity at every high school.</p>
<p>Maha77,</p>
<p>If your son is still a junior in HS, there is still a lot of time to prepare (since deadline for his applications will be next Nov. 1).</p>
<p>To answer your question, an unweighted GPA of 3.94 is perfectly respectable to be considered for the Emory Scholars Program. In addition to GPA, there is scrutiny placed mostly upon those academic metrics that are demonstrative of your son's academic abilities (vs. "non-academic" activities such as athletics, student government, etc.). While EC's may have a bearing, it will usually not overcome the expected high bar settings of candidates who are competing for "merit awards", based on academic excellence. </p>
<p>Other important measurables includes SAT/ACT scores. A rough benchmark (with some exceptions) is that most ESP finalists meet or surpass 2250 for the SAT (average 750 per test). Those applicants who make "semifinalist" (though not named a finalist) often meet or exceed this mark as well. Standardized test scores, along with GPA, are the significant factors for ESP. Other factors include academic rigor, ESP and application essays, and recommendations (as part of the ESP application).</p>
<p>As far as academic rigor, it is true that all high schools are different, some offering many AP courses and some offering none. Like most universities/colleges, evaluation of "rigor" at Emory is done in context. In evaluating academic rigor, the Office of Admission (who are also principally involved with the first-tier evaluation for ESP applicants) will examine how a student has "challenged" himself by availing himself of what AP courses are actually offered. If for instance, a high school only offers 4 AP courses, and a student has taken all 4 AP courses offered, that student has challenged himself to the fullest opportunity provided by his high school. On the other hand, if a HS offers 25 AP courses, and a student has only taken 2 AP courses, it is a statement that this student has not fully taken advantage of the academic rigor made available by that HS.</p>
<p>To augment what "itsasmallworld" mentioned, there is in fact a great deal of standardization and conformity regarding AP courses, through the governing body, the College Board. First, AP courses are taught with a significant amount of standards. Course descriptions are the same, i.e., the AP European History course follows the same goals and teaches the same content, regardless of whether it's taught in New York City or San Francisco. Notwithstanding that specific teachers will differ, the College Board in fact offers teacher mentors for each AP course in an attempt to maintain academic standards. Secondly, the AP program has a partial intent of providing opportunities for HS students to gain college credit via the AP Exams. These exams likewise follow a strict standardization.</p>
<p>In the case of Emory, they factor in a "5" in GPA calculation for an "A" grade (vs. a "4") for each acceptable AP course. (This is, of course, how a "weighted" GPA is derived.)</p>
<p>As far as the other intent of the AP program, that of awarding college credit for passing an AP Exam, each college or university has its own standards of what is acceptable for credit. In the case of Emory, they will only award college course credit for an exam passed with a "4" or "5", and only if the AP exam is acceptable. (Check with Emory's Office of Admission, but for example, they will NOT award any college credit for the Human Geography exam. Also, policies can change without notice.)</p>
<p>If your son is a junior, the best thing that he can do is to continue to pursue academic excellence through this year, and to plan to register for as many AP classes as he feels he is prepared to adequately handle for his senior year.</p>