Deciphering GPA Meaning

Yo, can someone explain what exactly is a GPA? How is it calculated and what is considered a 'good' GPA when it comes to college applications?

Sure, happy to break it down for you!

The acronym GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It's a numerical calculation used to assess and represent your academic performance during your high school years. It's usually on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0 but can sometimes be higher in the case of weighted grades.

In calculating your GPA, each letter grade you receive is assigned a point value. Typically, these correspond as follows:

- A: 4.0

- B: 3.0

- C: 2.0

- D: 1.0

- F: 0.0

These values change slightly for weighted scales, like those used for Honors or AP classes, which might rate an A as 4.5 or 5, respectively.

To calculate your GPA, you add up all these point values and then divide by the total number of classes you've taken.

As for what's considered "good", that's a bit subjective and varies based on the colleges you're interested in. Roughly speaking though, a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5 is typically considered good, and anything above 3.5 is seen as excellent. But keep in mind, the more selective a college, the higher the average GPA of admitted students typically is. You can take a glance at the average GPAs of previously admitted students for a better understanding of your target schools' expectations.

Remember, GPA is just one piece of the puzzle in college admissions. While it's important, colleges also review your coursework rigor, extracurriculars, letter of recommendations, essays, and more to get a holistic understanding of your profile.