The Common Application elicits information regarding an applicant’s academic performance, including grade point average (GPA). Colleges typically request both a weighted GPA, which accounts for the difficulty of courses taken (e.g., AP or IB), and an unweighted GPA, which assigns all courses the same value regardless of their difficulty. For example, an unweighted GPA might award an A in any course a 4.0, whereas a weighted GPA might award an A in an AP course a 5.0.
Providing both GPA calculations allows colleges to evaluate academic achievement within the context of the applicant’s high school curriculum. The unweighted GPA offers a standardized measure across different schools, while the weighted GPA demonstrates the applicant’s willingness to challenge themselves with more rigorous coursework. This dual reporting helps admission committees gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s academic profile.
