**A Public Service Announcement (because too many kids/parents I’ve met with this week are COMPLETELY unaware and this is IMPORTANT!)**
The GPA on your student’s transcript is NOT the GPA that most universities use to determine admission. For many universities, the admissions team will re-calculate a core, weighted GPA (called the “recalculated GPA”) including ONLY core courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language (sometimes also AP, IB, or AICE coursework).
So – how do you find your RGPA? Well, you have to do some math. And while not all universities do it exactly the same, many systems (including Florida universities) use the following format:
1) All core high school coursework – including core high school credits earned in middle school – are included in the calculation. NO ELECTIVES (unless that elective is in AP/AICE)
2) Each grade is assigned a value on a 4 -point system. A=4, B=3, C=2… Core courses that are indicated as honors, pre-AICE or pre-AP on the transcript get an additional 0.5 for each grade. Core courses that are indicated as AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/IB get an additional 1.0 for each grade. Important note: If your school uses the +/- system (where you can have a B+ or A- on a transcript), those plusses and minuses are completely abandoned in the RGPA.
What does it all mean? Well, if you have a student that has taken several “weighted” electives (including "gifted" programs), it means their RGPA might be quite a bit lower than you thought it was. Likewise, if your student has taken several unweighted electives, their RGPA might be higher. Either way, this RPGA number is the number you should use to compare your student to the academic statistics published by the college/university they are interested in.
This recalculation does NOT mean “don’t take weighted electives” – what you enjoy is SO important to who you are! But when comparing your student’s GPA to the universities’ published GPA ranges, PLEASE be aware that the number on your transcript is NOT the number you should be using!
And this does NOT mean that a student shouldn’t apply to a school that is a “reach” – many colleges look at more than just RGPA/scores! instead, it means that as adults, we can provide critical guidance to our students by giving them the info that helps them realistically set their expectations and create a balanced, appropriate list. Taking this first step is super-important, so that come decision time, they’re “pleasantly surprised rather than heartbroken..."
Lastly, be aware that students typically apply to colleges immediately after their Junior year. Most commonly, the RGPA that schools are using to evaluate students is the RGPA they will have at the end of their Junior year. (Some schools request transcript updates for the 7th semester, giving the student another chance to improve their odds). This is why your teachers are SO adamant about how important Junior year coursework is! Plan accordingly to have an AMAZING junior year!
Hope this is helpful. If you’re still confused or would like help recalculating your student’s RGPA, reach out to me and I can help, or contact your school counselor.
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