Weighted vs Unweighted GPA

Parents Forum
21

<p>Another thing I just have to add...we thought our kids should get to take one elective course (at least) that they really enjoyed. Both took very comprehensive academic courseloads with virtually no time for electives except band (which was a "must" in our household). As seniors, both finally had time for ONE course they actually didn't need, but wanted to take. For DD, that was culinary arts...a full year of it, and she loved it. No it probably didn't "help" her get into college, but she sure learned a lot and enjoyed the class. For DD it was an independent study on Mahler. Again...probably not something that got him into college, but something he really enjoyed. In fact with him, I'm sure there were colleges that wondered why he didn't take a fourth year of science or math. But you know...he loved that independent study. Both kids got accepted to their number one (and two and three) choice colleges, and DS actually graduated. </p>

<p>Let your kids take one course for their enjoyment their senior year. The year is stressful enough. This is one way to add some fun to it.</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
Maybe find something like that near you?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>She's finishing up her second year of classes at CUNY and has done very well and is in great shape with ECs. That's the only thing I'm not worried about (and heaven knows I can worry!). ZS has great PSAT scores and stuff, but she's not really planning to reach big. I think Bryn Mawr/Barnard are as high as she will go.</p>

23

<p>The more selective the school, the less of a tendency that the GPA is unweighted because there is already an expectation that students should be taking the most rigerous classes their school offers.</p>

<p>NACAC's 2006 Annual State of College Admission Report provides analysis of the combined results from the Admission Trends Survey and the Counseling Trends Survey. Based on surveys of school counselors and colleges and universities nationwide, NACAC provides this report to highlight issues of concern to college-bound students, their parents, and the educators who serve them. </p>

<p>Even if you don't read the whole report, you should definitely read Chapter 4 Factors in the Admissions Process</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nacacnet.org/NR/rdonlyres/7CA6BEAA-90C5-4357-A498-FB0566564D71/0/06SOCA_Chapter4.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nacacnet.org/NR/rdonlyres/7CA6BEAA-90C5-4357-A498-FB0566564D71/0/06SOCA_Chapter4.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Colleges and universities receive transcripts and GPA calculations from thousands of high schools, each of which may calculate GPAs differently.</p>

<p>Many high schools use a traditional 4-point scale to measure grade averages, others use weighted 4.5- or 5-point scales, while still others use grade scales that reach as high as 8 or 10.</p>

<p>To provide a standard comparison of grade point averages among applicants, some colleges recalculate grade point averages. Colleges
are virtually evenly split on the practice of recalculating GPAs—49 percent do and 51 percent do not. </p>

<p>High yield institutions are more likely than low yield institutions to recalculate GPA.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>(Basically more selective schools where if admitted the student is more likely to enroll will recalculate your GPA to a 4 point scale)</p>

<p>Schools will look at major courses : English, Math, Social studies, Sciences, Foreign language, etc. Many will back out of the GPA: Band, Gym, Peer Leadership, Yearbook, etc. However this does not mean that you should slack off in these courses.</p>

24

<p>Sybbie that makes alot of sense to me and the most fair especially if the assumption (and the transcript) show that students took the most rigorous courseload which is generally the case at selective schools. Calibrating to a 4 pt. scale give a very quick and easy picture of how the student performed against peers. Our school district weights rank (utilizes a formula based on GPA, rigor and standardized tests) but unbundles GPA to a straight 4.0 on academic classes scale and I always thought that gave the colleges a pretty good picture.</p>

25

<p>Thanks to all of you for your comments. D thought I was silly even for posing the question. Since this was my first thread, I am glad to have checked back with CC to see so many enriching comments! Good for all of you!</p>

<p>I think the uber-select colleges seem to look carefully at six key variables: class rank, GPA, curriculum (and its rigor); teacher recs; ECs; and applicant essays. It is difficult to distinguish any one criterion that outweighs the others. </p>

<p>I am glad that everyone seems to concur that the unweighted GPA is calculated as if every course has a scale of 4-A,3-B, etc. The unweighted is trickier and largely dependent both on the institution reviewing the data, as well as other five variables.</p>

26

<p>The questions of how GPAs are calculated, whether colleges recalculate, which they pay more attention to (weighted or unweighted) will never die. Because there are no simple answers.</p>

<p>I think the one addition to the observations above: High School Profile. </p>

<p>Whatever your hs GPA, however it is calculated, whether or not the college recalculates, I think the one thing you can be sure of is that it will be evaluated in the context of your hs - usually using your own hs's Profile, which is generally included with the transcript. IE, how does the course selection of this student compare with what was offered at the hs? what is the distribution of GPA's at that hs (50% A students? 10% A students)?</p>

27

<p>I have never been able to explain GPA to my parents.
Here's what I have to say:
There are three classes: Standard, Honors, and AP
You need a 96+ for a 4.0, 5.0, or 6.0 respectively
For every point under you lose 1/8 of a GPA point.
Some courses you must take standard.</p>

<p><em>sigh</em> I wish we just did 0-100</p>

<p>I'm really jealous that there are people in my state that where a 90=A=4.0/5.0/6.0</p>