Hello. I have a question about UC’s GPA calculation process. I understand that UC considers grades from sophomore and junior years only and awards up to 8 AP/IB credits. Taking an additional course from another institution might decrease the GPA, whereas limiting courses to six per year could increase the GPA if total AP credits exceed eight. Is this accurate? I am considering completing my Fine Art credit online through an external institution and would appreciate any clarification on this matter. Thank you in advance for your help.
This defines “Capped GPA.”
But UCLA and UCB have openly said they consider “fully weighted” GPA which is essentially all AP/H/DE classes combined without limit.
Many people this year have been successful at most other UC campuses with a low Capped GPA but high fully weighted GPA. So my advice is not to limit yourself to 8 AP/H/DE but take as many as you can handle which are of interest to you.
For reference, S24 has 10 honor classes from HS and 15 DE classes from CC taken right after 8th grade. His capped GPA is 4.1, but fully weighted GPA is 4.7.
UC’s calculate 3 GPA’s: GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub
Unweighted: maximum 4.0
Capped weighted: maximum 4.4
Uncapped weighted: maximum 5.0
All the UC’s will look at the self-reported courses and grades and evaluate the rigor. You are evaluated within the context of the your HS offerings and I would not worry about taking more courses which could lower your capped weighted GPA.
The UC’s expect you go above and beyond the minimum a-g course requirements so do not try to decrease the number of courses or rigor to increase your GPA.
The Art course needs to meet the a-g course requirements and taking it on-line will not change the fact it is an a-g course and will be included in the GPA calculation if taken in 10-11th grade.
According to the UC a-g course information, systemwide the majority of admitted students had 25 or more a-g courses from 9-12th grade.
Takeaway: Take all courses to meet and exceed the UC a-g course requirements with sufficient rigor and do not worry about the capped weighted UC GPA.
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