College GPA Calculator: Fact and Fiction
Maybe you’ve heard whispers in the hallways about grade recalculation and how it can help, or hurt, your chances of getting accepted to college. Here’s the skinny on what grade recalculation really means (and why you shouldn’t be up all night worrying about it).
Basically, grade recalculation is a system that helps college advisors and admissions counselors compare applications from thousands of different high school students. Potentially, each high school could calculate students’ GPAs in a different manner — 4.0 scale, 5.0 scale, weighted scores for Honors/AP classes, etc.
While most high schools use similar systems, even the smallest difference makes it difficult for admissions officers to fairly compare students.
To even the playing field, a college can choose to recalculate applicants’ GPAs based on a standardized system. Often times they’ll only include classes taken in core subject areas (English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Foreign Languages) during the recalculation process. It’s also common to award additional points to courses that are on the Honors or AP level.
But before you start trying to calculate how your GPA figures in to the recalculation system, take a deep breath. Not all colleges use the same recalculation system, and some don’t use one at all. In 2009, for example, the University of Michigan decided to stop grade recalculation entirely, http://www.admissions.umich.edu/gpa/
Instead, you should focus on the things you can control. Think carefully about the classes you’re taking and how they could affect your future. Be conscious of the number of non-core courses you take and also the level of each. Don’t feel pressured into taking all honors and AP courses, but definitely consider incorporating a manageable amount into your schedule. (And by no means should you completely avoid classes that don’t fall within the core sphere. Colleges certainly value students with well-rounded and diverse academic backgrounds.)
If your school doesn’t offer many Honors or AP courses, again, don’t worry. Colleges consult with your guidance counselors to determine the rigor of the curriculum offered at your school. You can also look into taking advanced courses at your local community college, which will not only impress college admissions advisors, but will serve you well when you arrive on campus in the fall.
Also, be in contact with schools that you are applying to — call, email, send smoke signals, whatever — to inquire about whether they recalculate GPAs and in what manner. This should help provide a more accurate sense of the likelihood of your admittance.
And finally, focus on the other components of your application that are just as important as your GPA. Measures like SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and community involvement are all taken into consideration.
And let your personal essay say what your grades can’t: what you’re passionate about, what your favorite subjects are, and why you want to go to college. Hearing from you, and the motivations behind your educational goals, is what will create a lasting impression of you as a candidate, not your GPA.
