Will colleges see a difference between an applicant who has 98s throughout his transcript vs an applicant who has 95s? Or are the numerical grades converted to the same 4.0? Would colleges ever convert to the scale where 97-100 is a 4.3 and a 93-96 is a 4.0?
No. There is no reliable difference between a 95 or a 98.
bump
Nothing more to add.
Assuming that your school ranks, then yes colleges will note the difference between a 95 gpa and a 98 gpa in the context of how you performed within your school, but a 95 is an A. Most colleges do not do grade conversions but look at your transcript in the context of your school profile.
@“Erin’s Dad” @planner03 so I worked that much harder for a 3 point higher GPA for no reason or advantage?
The final GPAs are reported as numerical, and not on a 4.0 basis. Even a 2 point difference (like between 97 and 95) seems pretty large to me
I think if your school ranks then it will be important here. A 98 valedictorian looks much better than a 98 in the top 20% as there might be some inflation going on there.
Not what I was saying at all. We need the context of the 98 gpa to give you an informed opinion. A 95 is a 4.0 and a 98 is a 4.0. Class rank is what should distinguish you. And 4.0 aside, of course a 98 transcript pops out more than a 95.