<p>Hi, I was just wondering how colleges might look at my grading scale compared to a standard 4.0 scale. My school is very competitive. We use a 4.0 scale but the percentage dimensions are a little bit different. This is what they look like:</p>
<p>98+ - A+
95-97 - A
93-94 - A-
90-92 - B+
87-89 - B
85-86 - B-
83-84 - C+
79-82 - C
77-78 - C-
75-77 - D+
73-74 - D
70-72 - D-
0-69 - F</p>
<p>I have a 3.21 on this grading scale (not including Fall of my senior year, which should end up much higher). How would this compare to the normal 4 point scale and how would colleges view this? Thanks for any feedback!</p>
<p>Colleges and universities will receive information about both the grading scale and the distribution of grades in your school when they get your transcript. And they have plenty of experience evaluating applications from students whose schools use a similar grading scale. </p>
<p>FWIW, I find that the grading scale makes little or no difference in the ratio of A’s to B’s to C’s in my classes. I prefer a ten-point scale, but if I’m using a seven-point scale, I adjust the way I assess students. I assign point values on tests a little differently, I allot partial credit a little differently, and I end up with pretty much the same grade distribution. </p>
<p>I know students like to worry about this kind of thing a lot, but I think it’s pretty much a non-issue.</p>
<p>My kids’ competitive HS uses the same scale, and it doesn’t weight individual course grades, either - weight is added to the entire GPA, which is therefore useless. It is frustrating when you need to convert your letter grades to a 4.0 scale for an application, and your 90 becomes a B whereas you know there are schools at which 90 is an A. </p>
<p>In short there is nothing you can do about it. Admissions officers swear they have ways to compare schools that makes this all even and fair. (I’ve heard the argument that Sikorsky makes above…well the teacher meant to give you a B. That’s not really how it works at our school. Each grade is numeric and is never, on assignment, report card, or anyplace else, converted to a letter.) Again, it is what it is. They will see on your transcript that your school grades on this type of scale.</p>
<p>Though my grading scale is a little less cut up, I am in that exact same boat. I can’t offer much that has not already been said, but keep in mind that schools will look at your grades along with course rigor and grading scale. Good luck!</p>