My school does not use the 4 scale, but the 100 scale (I am an international student). My cumulative GPA during High School was 93.9. How to convert it using the 4 scale? College Board says that is equal 4.0 but Iowa State Calculator says that it is 3.76. Which is corret?
Iowa did a simple proportion problem. College Board isn’t really trustworthy for personal GPA problems.
93.9/100 = 0.939
0.939×4 = 3.756 (or 3.76)
Hm, In the class rank (class size = 21), I am the #2 (top 10%). The #1 GPA is between 94 and 95, and the #3 GPA is between 88 and 90. How admissions officer will see it?
You can’t convert it like that. What is considered an “A” for you?
You need to convert each individual course grade to a 4.0 scale and then calculate the GPA.
However, do not convert it for your applications. When you apply, list your GPA how it appears on your transcript.
To see why this is not a proportion problem, pretend that your GPA was calculated using only two grades (for classes worth the same amount of credit). If the two grades were 88 and 99.8, your GPA would be 3.5 because that’s one A and one B (on most grading scales). On the other hand, if the two grades were 93.9 and 93.9, your GPA would be 4.0 because you got two As.
But how will admissions officer analyze it, considering the class rank?
Does it really matter? it’s not like it is anything under your control.
@guineagirl96 is correct; do not try to convert your GPA. You should assume that admissions officers are experienced with reviewing foreign transcripts. Your counselor can discuss your GPA and ranking relative to the class in his/her recommendation.
@skieurope Well, some people say that if a person has GPA 70 but this person is in the top 10%, it isn’t a bad thing.
It’s all evaluated in the context of the school. Many international schools are notorious for grade deflation, and colleges no that. Now if the applicant with 70 GPA and is attending, as an example, an inner-city US public school that the state is trying to privatize because the test scores are so abysmal, top 10% is virtually meaningless.