I just completed my National Advanced Level (A LEVEL) in a university.
But my scores might appear lower than the average applicant.
For instance, in my 1st semester Economics,I had 70% which is technically an A (70-100) but it might seem low to top colleges in America even though the nearest % to me was 50% (second position)… I was first.
My 2nd semester Economics, I had 76% and the second had 47%. They’ were set hard by PhD lecturers that teach the real university students.
Final (external) exam results coming out soon though.They are marked nationally.
I was honorarily appointed ( I didn't apply, I was just told I was chosen) to a university-students-only group and my lecturers all agree that I am academically at a level higher than my peers.
How can I make selective colleges understand this? I really tried my very best in the exams..
How do I convert to American GPA? I can’t possibly have a <3.0 GPA according to the American scale.
Well, mention it in applications.
Also, you can’t convert the GPA on your own. YOu have to use either use a reliable 3rd party company or let the colleges calculate it.
Most of the more competitive colleges are fully au fait with the major educational systems grading structures. @paul2752 is right- don’t try to convert it on on your own. Your recommenders will make it clear where you are relative to your cohort.
You don’t convert. You indicate rank, how many for this score, what the next scores were, and how that compares nationally (percentile nationally = “roughly top 5% nationally”). Same thing for national exams.
What country/system are you from?
I am pretty sure that the admissions folks at selective colleges know how to interpret these numbers (or if not that they get appropriate information from the schools where you are). I don’t think that you have any problem here at all.
Lower secondary narional examinations such as OLevels or GCSE’s will be expected, as well as predicted A Level or IB results.
If you’re asked to estimate GPA, since you rank first, say 4.0 unweighted and in the “testing” section provide your national exam results.
WASSCE for Olevel @MYOS1634 though A there is 75-100 while for my National Alevels it is 70-100.
Thank you all for your help! I was so worried that I didn’t even have up to a 3.0!
Do you think a result with a few Bs in WASSCE would be enough to get into Selective colleges? With a good Alevel result!