I have a question about filling in the Cumulative GPA in the Common App in the section “Education” : subsection “Grades”
I go to a school in India, and we don’t have the system of GPAs. We get a percentage (out of 100) for each term rather than on a scale of 4 or 5. Simply converting the percentage we get to a 4 point scale by just dividing would be highly inaccurate without a proper formula. Even reporting it on a scale of 100 would not do justice to the actual score without correct conversion in mind.
@“Erin’s Dad” problem is that for example I get 90%, so I write CGPA 90 on a scale of 100. 90 is absolutely outstanding in our school system, but without a proper conversion system, it translates to a meager 3.6 out of 4. That’s why I am hesitant to just write the percentage as the GPA
@“Erin’s Dad” so should I take an average of all my percentages since the 9th grade and write that? My AGC for some reason told me to just write the percentage of the most recent exam, but I assume Cumulative GPA would entail some cumulation
You should correctly assume that colleges have admissions officers that are familiar with international grading systems. Unless a college specifically asks you to convert (an the vast majority do not make this request), do NOT convert. What you report should match your transcript. If your transcript does not report a cumulative GPA, it is perfectly acceptable to leave this part blank on the app. Colleges are going to review your grades from the transcript, not what you self report.