College GPA: weighted or unweighted?

I've been catching up on some forum discussions about college applications and noticed people talking about GPA. Do colleges typically look at weighted or unweighted GPAs? And should I focus more on my weighted classes when applying?

Colleges typically consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs during the admissions process. The difference between the two is that a weighted GPA accounts for the difficulty of the courses (like AP or IB classes) by assigning extra weight to them, while an unweighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4.0 scale and doesn't consider course difficulty.

When reviewing applications, colleges usually pay attention to course rigor and how challenging your schedule was. They want to see that you've taken challenging courses and have performed well in them. Therefore, it's important to focus on doing well in both weighted and unweighted classes. Keep in mind that each college might calculate GPA differently and might recalculate your GPA based on their specific criteria and policy.

When applying to colleges, it's a good idea to report both your weighted and unweighted GPAs if possible. This will give them a more comprehensive picture of your academic performance. If a college only allows you to submit one GPA type, check their admissions webpage or contact their admissions office to find out which one they prefer. It's also helpful to include information about your school's grading scale and weighting system to provide context for your GPA.

In summary, colleges will consider both your weighted and unweighted GPAs, but it's essential to focus on taking challenging courses and maintaining good grades. Report both GPAs when applying to colleges, and provide any information that can help the college understand your school's grading system.