Hey people, my school uses a unique competency-based grading system that doesn't involve traditional letter grades. I'm unsure how this will be compared to other students' applications who have a regular GPA. How do colleges take this into account when considering my application? Any advice would be great, thanks!
Hi there! I understand your concern regarding how colleges will compare your competency-based grading system to traditional letter grades. Rest assured, many colleges are aware that different high schools use different grading systems. Most colleges have a holistic approach to reviewing applications and will take this variation into account.
In cases like yours, admissions officers often rely more heavily on other parts of your application, such as test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and essays. These components give them a more comprehensive understanding of your academic and personal prowess.
To help them understand your grading system, make sure your high school counselor specifically explains the uniqueness of your school's grading method in their recommendation letter or in the school profile sent to colleges. This will provide context to your academic performance and allow admissions officers to better evaluate your application.
Lastly, don't hesitate to reach out to the colleges you're interested in applying to and ask them how they handle applications with different grading systems. They can potentially provide guidance and ease your concerns about the process. Good luck with your college applications!
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