My school is a somewhat competitive school, though not one that sends lots of kids to top schools nor is it known to be a top rigorous school. However, the courses in my school were hard, with strict teachers that only gave around 5 As.
However, I feel it is somewhat unfair seeing people with 4.0s with much easier schools, despite hardly being more “smart” or hardworking.
I’m just wondering how colleges will put the GPA in perspective. A 4.0 at one school could be much different than 4.0 in another.
Also, my school does unweighted GPA, which doesn’t help at all.
For example, I have a 3.8 UW GPA, but considering all the tough classes I had to endure, its definitely not a “3.8 low gpa at an easy school”
Will top colleges ask for a grade distribution for the school, even if the school profile doesn’t show it?
I’ve also seen a chart where it lists how many have 4.0s and how many are in 3.8-3.99, etc - Do the colleges request it? Or is it based on if the school profile gives it?
I’ve seen many grade inflation schools where top 10% have 4.0s, which frustrates me as in my school, 1.7% have 4.0s (8 out of 450)
“I’m just wondering how colleges will put the GPA in perspective. A 4.0 at one school could be much different than 4.0 in another.”
Yes, they will put it into perspective. The fact that you have taken the most rigorous courseload will put you in a better light than someone who has a 4.0 and a “demanding” courseload.
Strong standardized test scores (Especially AP and SAT II) will also help.
The high school profile will show how rigorous your school is and your class rank will show how well you did compared to your peers. It’s all evaluated.
BTW: I hate seeing these threads. You do know that you went to this school for a reason. It is unfair that students should be looked down upon for getting a 4.0 at an easy school. Most students have no choice about which school they attend, and cannot afford private standardized test tutors, If a student goes to a public school, is that unfair. How rude is it to artificially inflate your own ego and boast about your own school, and degrade “easy schools”? I understand where people who post this in general are coming from, but public schools should not be looked down upon because they are public. This is the whole grade inflation topic.
Anyhow, I wish you the best of luck in your process. A 3.8 is still great at any top school if your schedule is that demanding.
I totally understand where you are coming from. I think as long as your test scores are good (your intellectual potential, so to speak), they will be suspicious of your gpa. 3.8 isn’t bad though.
I go to a nothern va school, which is extremely hard to get As at, especially cause it’s an IB school. Anyways, all these other people may have better GPAs, but I killed them on the SATS and I, too, hope the colleges can understand and look past it.
Erin’s dad is correct. Your HS will send a school profile with each transcript. It has information such as average GPA for school, level of courses offered, average SAT for school etc. so your transcript will be reviewed in its proper context. You can ask your guidance counselor to see the school profile if you want (the one for our HS in on the school website)
Heh Heh, I could argue the other way, and if your not in CA (30 Minutes from Silicon Valley Area) then your competition isn’t nearly as tough as mine. So as others mentioned, school profile provides input such as this
Ethnic Makeup: 30% -Caucasian 41% -Asian 15% -Hispanic 5% -African-American
2% -Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 7%- Two or more races
So my 4.17 GPA has been lowered due to the immense competition that comes from having a class that is 41% Asian. Now, look up Cupertino High School or Saratoga High School profile. You won’t find demographics on the profile. They are trying to hide the fact that those schools are nearly 90% asian.