Weighted GPAs

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>How do most schools calculate the weighted GPAs? I see so many really high weighted GPAs. Our public high school, in a competitive area, only takes 22 classes to come up with the WGPA. This gives our DD a 4.25. If all 26 of her classes were counted it would be a 4.4something. Once senior year is complete she will have 31 classes (3 she was able to take in middle school and she took her PE classes "virtually" so she could have room for her music and art classes). Also, our school gives 5 points for AP classes and nothing extra for "honors" type classes. She took every "honors" type class available, too.</p>

<p>Now, she has an unweighted GPA of 4.0--As in every class she has ever taken, including her APs (5 completed, 4 this year). So, does it really matter if you don't have one of those super high WGPAs?</p>

2

<p>One of the reasons I ask here is that I have relatives in North Carolina and I know that in their school district they get 6 points for AP classes and 5 points for “honors” classes, making their WGPAs look pretty sweet in comparison.</p>

3

<p>Every HS weights differently and every college adcom recalculates GPA so that all applicants are on a level playing field. It’s their business to know (and the HS GC sends the school profile so they know) how that GPA was earned… they probably even have a list of schools who try to game the system. :slight_smile: Our state flagships strip every applicant’s GPA down to core academic courses (9-11) and only add weight to legit. AP/IB courses, and yes, the student who was in on-level vs. honors has the same result. But the transcript shows the rigor and that is an important part of the admissions’ equation.</p>