SUNY Oswego/Presidential Scholarship

goaliedad
Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:21:40 +0000

Ok, I sent an email and also included a question asking about GPA translation from a 4 point scale to their 100 based scale. Here is the reply I received (edited for anonymity)



Thank you for your interest in SUNY Oswego.

We calculate gpa’s based on an unweighted average. On a 4.0 scale:

3.0 = 85
3.5 = 90
4.0 = 95

Our merit and Residential scholarships require strong academic programs
of study. We do not weight these gpa’s, but look for those difficult
courses and recognize them.

A student can be eligible for the Residential and a Deans award combined.



So the good news is that yes, OOS students can double dip in the merit pool.

The not-so-good news is that their grade scale conversion does not look particluarly generous, as extra weight does not explicitly get added for taking honors or AP curriculum, although they seem to “recognize” difficult courses. Not sure what that means. I think a follow-up is in order here.

I recognize how difficult it is to compare apples and oranges with grading systems and academic rigor between schools, so I don’t mean to talk badly of the reply I received.

And if the entire formula was divulged publically, it could lead to “gaming” the system in course selection by prospective students.