which gpa is unweighted

Hello! I'm a bit confused about the difference between unweighted and weighted GPA. My school's grading system includes both, and I want to know which one I should focus on when applying to colleges and scholarships. Which GPA is the unweighted one?

Hello! Different high schools may use varied grading systems, but unweighted and weighted GPAs can generally be distinguished based on the scale used. The unweighted GPA is the one that scales from 0.0 to 4.0, with an A usually corresponding to 4.0, a B to 3.0, and so on. This type of GPA does not take into account the difficulty of the courses you've taken; that is, it treats all courses equally in terms of their impact on your GPA.

In contrast, the weighted GPA considers the rigor of your coursework, typically incorporating additional points for honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. As a result, the weighted GPA range is often higher than 4.0 (for example, 0.0 to 5.0 or 0.0 to 6.0, depending on the school). This means that if you take advanced courses, your weighted GPA will generally be higher than your unweighted GPA.

When applying to colleges and scholarships, you should be aware of both your unweighted and weighted GPA, as different institutions may have distinct preferences. Some colleges focus more on unweighted GPA to ensure a consistent comparison among applicants, while others consider weighted GPA to acknowledge students who challenged themselves with rigorous courses. Make sure to check the admissions requirements for each college or scholarship program to determine which GPA they prioritize. Additionally, remember that your GPA is only one component of your application, and factors like test scores, essays, and extracurricular activities also play a significant role in college and scholarship decisions.