Need help to understand GPA weighting

Hello everybody! Can somebody explain to me what 'GPA Weighting' really means? I heard some discussions about it, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it fully. How does it affect my college applications?

Certainly, happy to help clear things up! GPA weighting is a method by which more challenging classes, like AP, IB, or honors, contribute more to your GPA than regular classes. This is meant to recognize the additional effort and rigor these courses entail.

Here's an example: In an unweighted GPA system, A's always equal 4 points, B's equal 3 points, and so on, regardless of the type of class. So, if you received an A in regular English, it would contribute 4 points to your GPA calculation.

In a weighted GPA system, though, more intensive classes confer additional points. A school might, for instance, provide 5 points for an A in an AP or IB class, as opposed to 4 for an A in a standard class. As such, if you received an A in AP English, it would contribute 5 points to your GPA.

Now, how does it affect your college applications? Schools wish to see that you're challenging yourself with the toughest courses available, so a weighted GPA can be beneficial as it reflects your willingness to engage more difficult coursework. However, colleges are well-aware that high schools differ in their grading scales and the classes they offer, so admissions offices typically recalculate your GPA using their own system to make fair comparisons among applicants. This can involve "unweighting" your GPA to a standard 4.0 scale, or applying their own unique weighting system.

Just remember, although GPA is important, colleges consider many other factors in admissions decisions as well, including test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. However, no single factor will make or break your application!