Which GPA? + When Should I Explain Important Circumstances?

Applying to College
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  1. Currently, I have a 3.37 UW GPA. When my GC inputs grades from summer classes, it will rise to 3.48. When I complete both semesters of English IV Honors online (should have first semester done in first few weeks of senior year, 2nd done by early October), it will be a 3.51.

Despite that, I am worried that colleges might only see the 3.37 or 3.48. When sending applications, will colleges see my GPA since the end of junior year, my GPA at the beginning of senior year, or my then-current GPA?–my transcript will be updated in time for early college apps to reflect both semesters.

  1. My freshman year, I underwent a specific set of circumstances that affected me in many ways. I don't want to talk about this in that much detail, but I will say that they are circumstances that shouldn't be overlooked. Let's just say I couldn't handle my courseload and felt bad; circumstances that I have since recovered from. Would you recommend that I discuss them in my interview(s) or my essays?
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Any explanation of your freshman “circumstances” would need to come from your guidance counselor, not you.

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– Your GPA will show up however your HS calculates it. The only person who can answer that is your guidance counselor. You can ask him/her to check and be sure that the summer classes have been added in before the transcript gets sent to colleges, but that’s about it.

–Not every HS will include online courses in the GPA. However, you will need to send the transcript of any class outside of the HS that you take and the college will include it in the evaluation of your transcript.

–Nobody will care about a tiny difference in your GPA (ex. the difference between 3.48 and 3.51 is immaterial).

– The types of issues you vaguely alluded to are generally best discussed by your guidance counselor in his/her letter of recommendation. That way it comes off as verified by a third party and factual and rather than potentially sounding like a person making an excuse.

– Your essay should be used to a) tell something positive/interesting about yourself that can’t be found elsewhere on the application and b) make the admission officer want to have you on campus.

– It is fine to have a few reaches but in general you should focus on schools that match your academics and that appear affordable.