What is the deal with GPA's?

<p>Hey guys. I keep hearing different variations in regard to GPA's. Some say an "A" means 90-100, and therefore, if your average is above a 90, then you have a 4.0 UW (Btw, I am only discussing UW GPA's, seeing as my school does not weigh GPA's, regardless of the course). Others say and A+ , which is a 95-99 is a 4.0. But my college guidance said that we had to calculate GPA's by the 4 method, meaning that whatever our composite average was, we had to take that and multiply it by 4, then divide it by a 100. So, with my 96.7 average, I'd only end up with a 3.87! That's totally unfair. How do so many people have 3.9's and 4.0's? I'm in every honors course, and I work pretty darn hard....I want to get into a nice college! I haven't got a B in my life!</p>

<p>I don’t really see what the problem is? Every school calculates GPA’s differently and colleges know this. A 4.0 GPA at one school may mean one thing while a 4.0 GPA at another school may mean something completely different. If the highest GPA in your entire school is a 3.87 than the college will view it as though it is equivalent to a 4.0. Some schools are simply more rigorous than others. </p>

<p>When you apply to college, your guidance counselor attaches a school profile that helps the admissions officer determine exactly what your GPA means. If a 3.87 GPA is one of the best in your class, than you will be fine.</p>

<p>The college takes rank, school profile, and courses taken into account. Adcoms make their decisions on an individual basis. It’s not like they have a certain GPA, and anything under than is out. Don’t worry.</p>

<p>Most preps do not rank; they might submit a gpa distribution chart though. As stated above, this will help admissions discern approximately where you fall. It certainly does not need to be “near the top” for most of the better preps. Top half is fine for admission into very selective schools. Of course, rigor of your partiular schedule will also be taken into account.</p>

<p>To the OP…a 96.7 is not an A; it is an A-. In a school which does not give numerical grades, your gpa would be a 3.67; you should be happy with your 3.87.</p>

<p>@kelylyme: a 96.7 can be an “A” depending on what school you attend.</p>

<p>keylyme, that seems obscene! 96.7 = A-?? Here, 86+ is an A.</p>

<p>that’s the problem with GPAs, they’re so different… then again, teachers here do grade pretty hard accordingly (highest mark that one of my teachers gave out = 86.)</p>

<p>Since grading varies from school to school, they use SSATs to compare your academic achievement.</p>