Blog Spot

A B is a B -- and sometimes it's an A.
03/23/2008

On every college application you receive, there's a spot to fill in that GPA - the grade point average - the numbers that seem to shout out your accomplishment as a student.

It's a tremendous feeling to take your pen and write in 3.82, or some other high number on the 4.0 scale. On the other hand, if you must write down a 3.21 instead, will those admissions people still pick up your application and place it in the pile for scholarship consideration?

If you've poured through the listings of big figure scholarships available at the colleges you're considering, most likely you'll have determined that you'd rather have the 3.8 than a 3.2. Many of the best scholarships require a minimum GPA before even considering you as a potential recipient of those most coveted scholarships.

The good news is that a B is not always a B. Sometimes it's an A.

In other words, which classes you take is just as important as how well you do in those classes.

"We look at the overall GPA, yes," says Nic Clemens, an admissions counselor at a small private college in Michigan. "But we also look also at the type of classes taken, whether college preparatory or not."

When Clemens looks at a GPA, he often adjusts the GPA for the type of class taken. For example, an A in Chemistry will hold a greater weight than an A in PhysEd. "Even a 3.4 GPA may show great promise as long as the student is showing that he is challenging himself in the type of courses he takes," says Clemens.

When does a B actually become an A? Definitely when the course is AP level work. Clemens automatically adjusts a full grade up for AP (Advanced Placement) high school courses. But honors courses also get adjusted upward. As do classes taken at a community college.

Yet not all high schools offer AP coursework. Or honors classes. Precisely why Clemens looks closely at the transcript. He realizes that a student may not have those opportunities.

If Clemens is sufficiently impressed with the student's willingness to challenge him or herself with the more difficult coursework, Clemens will indeed place that applicant's paperwork in the smaller stack - the stack which gets considered for scholarship monies of $11,000 and up.

That's good news for those willing to tackle the tough subjects.

Bottom Line:

When considering which courses you should take in high school, always keep in mind how challenging your coursework is. Admissions officers DO look at the transcript, not just the GPA.

Is your GPA a bit on the low side?

How to find the big figure scholarships with the lower GPA scores. - Members' eyes only at scholarshipprep.com.

Coming soon:

Keeping your student motivated to excel through the high school years.
Academic excellence gets you more than scholarship money -- what other opportunities colleges offer to good students.

---------------------

Not a member yet?

Stay on top of the scholarship process for your student! Get our Blog Spot delivered to your email every two weeks or so. Also get a sneak preview of what our online program can do for you. Sign up here.

---------------------