Quick question: Is there a big difference between an 'A' and an 'A+' in the eyes of a college admissions officer? Like do colleges even differentiate between the two when it comes to GPA calculations?
In college admissions, the distinction between an 'A' and an 'A+' is typically minimal. Most colleges recalculate your GPA according to their own scale and often consolidate both 'A' and 'A+' grades into a single 4.0 grade point value for unweighted GPAs. The notable exception can occur if your high school provides weighted GPAs and distinguishes an 'A+' with a higher weight than an 'A,' which could then marginally increase your overall weighted GPA.
However, when admissions officers review transcripts, they do look for a pattern of excellence. Continuous 'A+' grades could be seen as a mark of consistent high achievement, but one 'A+' versus an 'A' in the grand scheme of things won't make or break an application.
It's far more important to maintain a strong overall GPA and take challenging courses that show academic rigor. In these respects, both 'A's and 'A+'s demonstrate high academic performance that colleges look for, so I wouldn't stress too much over striving for an 'A+' in every class if it comes at the cost of your well-being or ability to engage in meaningful extracurricular activities.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.