What defines a weighted GPA?

Hello everyone! I’ve heard numerous times about weighted GPAs and I know it has to do with the difficulty of the classes we take, but what are the specific ways that a weighted GPA is calculated? And how does it affect my college applications?

Weighted GPAs consider both your grades and the difficulty of the classes you've taken. Schools that use weighted GPAs typically provide more "weight" or points to honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate classes. For example, on a standard 4.0 scale, an A in a regular class would be worth 4 points. However, an A in an honors or AP class might be worth a 4.5 or 5.0 due to the added weight.

The actual weighting system can vary from one high school to the next; some, for instance, may only add weight to AP or IB classes and not to honors classes. It's crucial to understand your school's system and how it will convert to a standard 4.0 scale for college applications, which often involves removing the additional weight.

On college applications, a weighted GPA can reflect your course rigor, showing that you've taken difficult, advanced classes. However, keep in mind that admission officers will look at your unweighted GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and review your transcript to understand the level of challenge in your class selection. They are aware of the variations in school systems and aim to assess all students fairly.

For example, if two students have the same unweighted GPA, but one has a higher weighted GPA due to taking more rigorous classes, admissions officers may view the student with the higher weighted GPA more favorably. This is because they've demonstrated their ability to succeed in tougher academic environments.

Remember, colleges aren't just looking for students with high GPAs. They aim to admit students who are intellectually curious and versatile, which is often demonstrated by taking challenging courses in high school.