Is it better to have a high weighted? Right now I have a 3.1 uweighted, but a 4.85 weighted. At my school there is many AP classes offered, but also “advanced” classes, which are roughly a half credit better weighted than honors classes. Should I continue to keep the classes I’m taking, or just focus soley on bringing my unweighted up? I am taking five AP’s, two “advanced” classes, and one honors.
Based on this weighting system, the maximum is something around 5.7+ weighted, but I’m sure it is normalized for colleges.
Since HS’s and Colleges have their own weighting system, your unweighted GPA is a better indicator on your HS academic performance. So you want a high unweighted GPA with rigorous HS classes.
Your unweighted GPA is usually considered more than a weighted GPA, because it reflects your achievement in your classes. If your GPA is low due to the fact that you are biting off more than you can chew, maybe you should try to ease up your schedule. Your unweighted GPA is a bit on the average side, but it also depends on what schools you’re looking at. Hope this helps!
Your unweighted GPA indicates you’re a “B” student. Depending on where you apply it may be difficult for you to compete against “A” students.
Your high school seems to have a very exaggerated weighting method.
Yes, I would agree.
In your particular case you may want to focus on colleges that will accept weighted or unweighted GPA’s if on your transcript (i.e., accept the higher of the two - WGPA). For example, UA and IU both good schools that will base your admissions on your WGPA.
I don’t think the weighting system seems exaggerated. My kids go to a school where most classes are offered at the college prep and honors level. Some classes are offered at the AP level. The school gives +.1 for an honors class and +2 for an AP class. This method does a good job of differentiating those who are A students in mostly college prep from the A students who are mostly honors and also allows the students who take mostly AP classes to stand out.
It’s better to have both high! But the general consensus is that an unweighted GPA+Course rigor is a the best indicator of a strong student.
Weighted GPAs are becoming more obsolete because EVERY high school likes to make up their own GPA system. If I have a 7.0 on a 10 point scale, would my GPA be better than yours?
I’d advise taking fewer AP/Advanced classes and aiming for more A’s.
5 AP 's + 2 Advanced +1 Honors is incredibly taxing and even top colleges wouldn’t expect that much.
I agree that you should apply to big state schools that will take your weighted GPA - FSU, Iowa State, Indiana, Penn State…
Note that they’re expensive, so focus first on your own state’s universities.