Do colleges look at weighted GPAs?

Hey everyone! I've taken a bunch of AP and honors courses in high school, so my weighted GPA is higher than my unweighted GPA. When colleges look at my application, do they usually consider my weighted GPA, or do they mostly focus on the unweighted one? Thanks for your help!

When colleges review your application, they typically look at both your weighted and unweighted GPAs, though the importance of each can vary depending on the institution. Most colleges acknowledge that students who take AP and honors courses have a more rigorous curriculum, which can be reflected in a higher weighted GPA.

However, it is important to note that colleges often recalculate GPAs based on their own scales and criteria. This is because different high schools may have varying grading scales, and some may even weigh certain courses differently. By recalculating your GPA, colleges can assess your academic performance on a more consistent and standardized measure, which allows for fair comparison across applicants from diverse backgrounds.

When colleges recalculate your GPA, they may focus on your core courses (like math, science, English, history, and foreign languages) and consider factors such as course rigor and school profile in the context of your application. Therefore, taking challenging courses can still benefit you in the college admissions process.

In summary, colleges do consider weighted GPAs to some extent, particularly in recognizing course rigor, but they may also recalculate your GPA for the sake of a fair comparison with other applicants. It's essential to maintain both strong unweighted and weighted GPAs while challenging yourself with AP and honors courses, as colleges appreciate a well-rounded academic profile.