Hey guys, I'm aiming for MIT and wanted to know how they calculate GPAs, especially since my high school doesn't use a 4.0 scale. Do they recalculate your GPA or use some sort of conversion system? Thanks for any help!
MIT does not use a specific formula or uniform scale to recalculate GPAs. Instead, they evaluate your high school transcript in the context of your school's grading system. This means they will consider your school's grading scale and any available class rank or percentile information to assess your academic performance relative to your peers.
To help put your GPA in proper context, MIT admissions officers will look at factors like the rigor of your school's curriculum, whether you took advantage of any challenging courses such as Honors, AP, or IB classes, and your performance in those classes. They want to see a strong and consistent effort throughout your high school career.
When submitting your application, MIT asks for an official school transcript which includes information about your school's grading system. This enables admissions officers to make an informed evaluation without needing to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Overall, your academic performance will be reviewed holistically, taking into account multiple factors that include but are not limited to your GPA.
It's important to remember that while GPA is a crucial component of your application, MIT, like most top colleges, employs a holistic review process, so they will consider all aspects of your application, including test scores (if submitted), extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make sure to present a strong and well-rounded application to increase your chances of admission. Good luck!
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