Hi! I'm applying to some University of California (UC) schools and was wondering how they calculate GPA. Is it different from how other colleges do it? Any insight would be really helpful!
Hello! It's true that the University of California (UC) system calculates GPA somewhat differently than other colleges. They utilize what's known as a 'Weighted and Capped GPA' for their calculations. I'll break down the steps to calculate your UC GPA:
1. Eligible Courses: UC schools consider only your 10th and 11th-grade coursework when calculating GPA, and they primarily focus on a-g courses, which are the specific course requirements for UC admissions.
2. Weighting Honors and AP Courses: The UC system assigns extra points for completed AP, IB, or Honors courses. You receive an additional point in your GPA calculation for each semester of an approved Honors, AP, or IB course, up to a maximum of a total of 8 semesters for all coursework.
3. Capped GPA: Although extra points can be accrued through Honors and AP courses, the UC system caps the total number of additional points to 8 (i.e., you can only receive extra points for a maximum of 8 semesters of Honors/AP coursework, even if you've taken more than that).
4. Calculating GPA: Divide the total number of grade points by the total number of graded semesters.
One thing to note is that this calculated GPA is used only for admission purposes and doesn't necessarily reflect the GPA listed on your high school transcript. Additionally, eligibility for your desired campus may vary, so it's important to research each campus's requirements.
I hope that clarifies the UC GPA calculation process for you! Best of luck with your applications!
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.