A student’s grade point average, or GPA, is one of the most important metrics when applying for college. GPA indicates a student’s academic performance and works hand-in-hand with other metrics, such as standardized test scores, to show a student’s eligibility for select schools. However, not all GPAs are the same. For those interested in attending the top US school, you may have heard the terms “weighted GPA” or “unweighted GPA.” The difference between these categorizations specify a student’s academic standing, and knowing the difference between the two will be essential for students who wish to create the best application for their dream school.
Weighted GPA vs Unweighted GPA
The distinguishing factor between weighted and unweighted GPAs is course difficulty. A weighted GPA considers how difficult or advanced a class is while unweighted does not. Unweighted GPAs typically range from a 0–4 scale, with 4.0 being a perfect score. However, if a student takes a specific class that offers a weighted rating and performs well in that class, then that student’s GPA can go up to 5.0, 6.0, or even higher in certain circumstances.
Weighted GPAs distinguish students who have excelled in their studies. They paint a fuller picture and give college admissions officers more insight into applicants than a raw unweighted GPA.
Which GPA Matters More for College Admissions?
Overall, colleges tend to regard weighted GPAs more. However, GPA alone will not guarantee a student’s admission into their top-choice school, weighted or unweighted.
At the top US schools, the admissions process is highly selective, with acceptance rates in the single digits being commonplace. Admissions officers at the Ivy Leagues and other high-ranking schools review applications holistically. They consider every aspect of a student’s profile, from their GPA to their test scores, personal statements, essays, and activities—no stone goes unturned. While having a high GPA will get your foot in the door, even a student with the highest GPA can be rejected if their other application components fall through.
Students must focus on all aspects of their college applications to have the best chance for acceptance. So, chasing the highest GPA possible may hurt your chances if it comes at the cost of a well-rounded and focused profile.
To learn more about student profiles, read our blog, “Well-Rounded vs Pointed Students: Is It Better to Be Egg-Shaped?“
However, an adjacent benefit of a high weighted GPA is how it distinguishes a student’s personality. Admissions officers recognize that having a high weighted GPA takes hard work from a student. Demonstrating those positive character qualities by being the type of student who pursues advanced courses may positively impact your college application results, even if the grade itself isn’t the deciding factor.
How to get a 6.0+ GPA
GPA rankings can differ vastly based on the region, school, and course. More difficult courses, such as advanced placement or dual enrollment, may offer more heavily rated GPA scores, but students should understand a course’s weight ahead of time. The best course is to speak with a school counselor and strategize your course selection based on your goals. Yet, regardless of any desired performance scores, students should also set time aside to work on other aspects of their profile—especially early on in their high school careers.
How to Build the Rest of your Student Profile
A student’s profile is formed of many components. GPA is an essential part, but so are standardized test scores, supplemental essays, personal statements, passion projects, research studies, and extracurricular activities. Everything that a student strives for during their time in high school becomes part of their student profile. Knowing this, the first step towards building one’s student profile is to pursue your passions and find your own unique story.
Crafting a standout application often begins with identifying an application persona, the singular theme that makes the application cohesive.
Students who find their passions early and work throughout their middle and high school careers have an easier time forming a cohesive narrative for their college applications and, as a result, stand out more prominently in the minds of college admissions officers. By exploring their areas of interest early, students also have the opportunity to branch out into more activities and opportunities. For a computer science student, this may look like taking robotics courses, starting coding clubs, working on their own video game, attending science Olympiads, and creating computer science-based fundraisers for the betterment of their school or community. Each of those activities occupy a distinct area of a student’s application profile, but they all tie back to the singular theme of a student who’s passionate about computer science and eager to share that knowledge with their community.
To learn more about improving your student profile and becoming a stand-out applicant for your dream school, see InGenius Prep’s Candidacy Building program, where our team of Former Admissions Officers from the top US schools will help you build your application and give you the best chance at acceptance.
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