Understanding GPA scores

So, can someone explain to me how GPA scores work? I understand it's out of 4.0, but is higher always better? And how do colleges interpret them?

Absolutely, I'd be happy to help explain this! A GPA or Grade Point Average is a standardized way of measuring academic achievement in the U.S. It's usually measured on a scale of 0 to 4.0, but can go higher if the student is taking AP or honors classes - this type of GPA is called weighted GPA. A 4.0 unweighted GPA is typically the highest possible, equivalent to A grades in all subjects, while a lower GPA can indicate Cs, Ds, or Fs.

In a weighted GPA system, advanced classes like AP or honors are scaled up from the 4.0 scale, often to 5.0. For instance, it means that if you got an A (typically a 4.0) in an AP class, it could be counted as a 5.0 towards your GPA. Therefore, it's possible to have a GPA over 4.0, but it's still the case that higher is generally better, because it indicates a high level of academic achievement.

As for how colleges interpret them, they use them as one way to assess your academic readiness for their institution. A higher GPA usually signals to colleges that you've been very successful in your classes, which can bode well for your ability to handle college coursework. However, colleges know that GPAs can vary a lot between high schools, so they also look at other things like your course rigor (are you challenging yourself academically?), and your test scores, if they are still considering them.

Additionally, some colleges recalculate your GPA based on their own formulas. They might not consider non-academic classes like PE or art in their calculations, or only look at certain years of high school. Some colleges may focus on your unweighted GPA (not considering the extra weight from AP/honors), so they can have a more "standard" measurement to compare students.

Remember, while GPA is important, your holistic profile - extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, any potential "spike" or area in which you excel - will also play a substantial part in college admissions.