Difference between core and cumulative GPA?

Hi all! I've heard the terms 'core GPA' and 'cumulative GPA' being thrown around throughout high school, but I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between the two. Could someone clarify this for me and explain which one is more important for college admissions?

Hi there! I'm happy to help clarify the difference between core GPA and cumulative GPA. Core GPA refers specifically to the grade point average in a student's core academic courses, which usually include English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. Essentially, it's an average of the grades earned in classes that are traditionally considered academically rigorous.

Cumulative GPA, on the other hand, is the grade point average of all the courses a student has taken during high school, including electives and other non-core courses. This metric provides a broader picture of a student's overall academic performance.

In terms of importance for college admissions, most colleges tend to look more closely at the core GPA because it represents the student's performance in courses that are more directly related to their academic abilities and future success in college-level coursework. That said, cumulative GPA is still important as it reflects a student's overall performance across all subjects, which can impact class rank, eligibility for scholarships, and other opportunities.