<p>I go to a LAC and my study abroad office told me that grades from study abroad will NOT be factored into my GPA. My GPA isn't that high (3.0) and seeing how going abroad won't improve my GPA (because it won't be factored) is it better to just stay on campus and try to get good grades and move my GPA up?</p>
<p>Bump …</p>
<p>Are you planning on going to grad school for something that makes a GPA relevant?</p>
<p>It’s the same at my daughter’s school and although they don’t do it, you can calculate and your grades are on the transcript. That is a mixed blessing, if you do well, you want the A’s in your GPA but if you don’t, it’s nice to have it out.
Most students said they had to send their transcript with applications and it wasn’t an issue, and recs also mentioned the “academic excellence at St. Andrew’s” for example.
Most grad schools can calculate your GPA themselves.</p>
<p>So let me get this clear, you get credit for the classes you take while abroad, but they are not factored into your GPA?</p>
<p>That could really be a blessing in disguise to be quite honest. I guess it depends on how you look at it!</p>
<p>So if I apply to grad school will they focus on my GPA (from domestic undergrad) or the cumulative GPA (which would include let’s say U Capetown semester grades)?</p>
<p>Is it a bad thing that my LAC transcript will have a lower GPA because the U Capetown grades aren’t incorporated although my cumulative would be higher?</p>
<p>Bump…</p>
<p>It depends on what you apply to grad school for. IF you go to medical school, they’ll care. If you go for a Masters of Fine Arts, chances are there are more important factors than how far above a 3.0 you achieved. </p>
<p>Personally, I think not factoring those grades into a cumulative GPA is a blessing, as College Mom said. It gives you a chance to spend time interacting with the culture (which is an entire learning process in itself) without the added pressure of maintaining perfect grades. Those two things can be hard to balance, and at times even antithetical goals.</p>
<p>I’ve seen other posts on this site where parents/students have said, it might not be added in the sense of the final number, but it’s there. If you got 3 A’s and a B, the school will recalculate. Most students said the grad schools did that and one student warned not to goof off as he did, it did matter. He didn’t do well at all and wasn’t trying very hard so not the best example.</p>
<p>It also depends on the program. My daughter’s is run with her school and they add the grades/transcript and note they didn’t factor them in, it’s up to the grad school. Outside programs sometimes have you get the transcript and Ive heard of grad schools that ask for them before considering your application. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t have it keep you from that experience, just do your best to balance everything.</p>
<p>This link asks the question also, but your LAC would have the best answers for you:</p>
<p>[Study</a> Abroad Grades? - The GradCafe Forums](<a href=“Study Abroad Grades? - Applications - The GradCafe Forums”>Study Abroad Grades? - Applications - The GradCafe Forums)</p>
<p>From another college study abroad office:
While grades from most coursework completed abroad do not affect the Northwestern GPA, it is important to remember that graduate schools (including medical, business, and law schools) generally instruct applicants to provide study abroad transcripts and then recalculate GPAs so that they include the study abroad grades.</p>
<p>Which study abroad programs are known for easy grades?</p>
<p>Honestly I think they are mostly comparable - are you wanting to study abroad or just vacation abroad?</p>
<p>I am spending 20,000 this coming school year studying abroad, and though I want to enjoy my time there, being able to travel etc, schooling is my priority, afterall, it is why I am going. </p>
<p>Don’t take this as me being harsh, but asking what programs are easy on grades, makes me think…</p>
<p>I totally agree with collegemom. </p>
<p>But, with that said:</p>
<p>Think about the classes you do well in at your current school-- if there is a pattern (like certain subjects that are your strengths, or teaching styles that particularly suit you) look for those qualities in the classes of study abroad programs. SIT will have largely discussion based and experiential learning, while many schools in the UK will grade solely on your midterm and final scores. If you put effort into finding the right program for you, your more likely to academically succeed there.</p>
<p>And by effort, I don’t just mean asking on this forum. Do some self-reflection and then some research. Read some of the reviews on websites like <a href=“http://www.ratemystudyabroad.com/[/url]”>http://www.ratemystudyabroad.com/</a></p>
<p>I went to a LAC and also did not have my grades factored into my transcript. Go abroad. You really only need a 3.0+ GPA for finance, consulting, and fellowship applications senior fall. One semester won’t give you the 3.5+ GPA you need. Study abroad, have the time of your life, and then work on networking and securing an awesome internship that hires a high percentage of the intern class. Check out [Student</a> Gone Global : Coming Soon](<a href=“http://www.studentsgoneglobal.com%5DStudent”>http://www.studentsgoneglobal.com) if you want to blog about your experience when you are there.</p>