MOMofknowitall

A quick question if anyone has a second. If you are taking a 5 unit, a 4 unit and two three unit classes is the cumulative GPA for the semester weighted proportionately to the number of units for a particular class? In other words is an A in the 4 or 5 unit class worth more than in the 3 unit classes when figuring you semester GPA? My freshman son is not convinced I'm correct when I tell him he'd be better off getting As in the 5 and 4 unit classes than in the 3 unit ones. Obviously, all things being equal, I'd prefer if he did well in all of his classes

Thx

Bridie

yes i believe so.

GCN2

Yes.

Basically you are awarded a point value for each hour you are taking.

B 3.0 x (5 credit hours) = 15
A - 3.7 x (3 credit hours) = 11.1
A 4.0 x (4 credit hours) = 16
B + 3.3 x (3 credit hours) = 9.9

So by adding the values on the right had column you get your "total quality points.' Divide this amount by the number of hours you are taking and you'll get your GPA.

52/15 = 3.466

The same course load but with rearranged grades.

A 4.0 x (5 credit hours) = 20
B + 3.3 x (3 credit hours) = 9.9
A - 3.7 x (4 credit hours) = 14.8
B 3.0 x (3 credit hours) = 9.0

53.7/15 = 3.58

Hope that helps!

midmo

^^Yes, that is correct. Multiply point value of grade times credit hours per class, add it up, then divide by total credit hours.

It is a reasonable way to weight things, since presumably a 5-credit course is more work than a 3-credit course.

However, MOM, gpa is not the only thing that counts. An A in a course within your major, or a course that is very important for your major, will be "worth" more than an A in an elective, no matter what the number of credit hours, in terms of recommendations, future work with professors, application to some graduate programs, etc.

dwhite

Wow, learn something new everyday! I'll have to pass this along to my freshman son - Im willing to bet he is unaware. Thanks.

GCN2

To expand on what midmo is saying:

I am currently applying to graduate schools, most of them could care less about my B in Philosophy (I don't want to talk about it :P ). They are mostly interested in my science GPA. One school gets so specific that they care mostly about genetics classes (though the differentiate between subject material is rather rare).

MOMofknowitall

Thanks everyone for the responses. GCN2's grid makes perfect sense and I too will pass this on to my son.

Faline2

Me, too..thanks GCN2 for the always practical information.