How Will GPA Work For Me?

Applying to College
1

Hey guys -

I’m a junior now, doing really well academically and taking five 500-level or AP-level courses. I go to an elite and well-known boarding school on the East Coast, and I’m thinking of applying to some smaller liberal arts colleges and Ivies. My UW GPA is somewhere in the vicinity of 3.75 to 3.8, because my school ranks an A- at 3.6 and an A/A+ at 4.0, and doesn’t take AP classes into account differently. This is a really good GPA especially because of my heavy course load and compared to others at my school - but we don’t do weighted GPAs or class rank.

My GPA, at first glance, is probably low for some of the schools I’m applying to, but will they understand my school’s different GPA system? Should I even be worried about this, when they will be seeing my official transcript and realize that I’m getting straight A’s in all AP courses? Or is the myth true that some colleges don’t look past your UW GPA?

Thank you!

2

Yes.

You should assume that since you are attending ’ an elite and well-known boarding school " that the admissions officers are well aware of the grading standards at your school. In the highly unlikely event that the admissions officer does not know your college counselor’s phone number by heart, the school profile will supplement the application and will provide context on where your GPA falls in the mix, even if the school does not rank.

3

Great - thank you!

4

If you have any questions like this, you really should talk to your GC. They know much better than we do what will be reasonable target schools for you.