This document discusses the importance of GPA for college admissions. It explains that a student's high school transcript, which includes their GPA, is the most important part of a college application. It provides instructions on how to calculate GPA based on the grades and points assigned to different letter grades. Sample GPA calculations are shown. Additional factors in college admissions beyond GPA are also briefly mentioned, such as choice of courses and test scores. But the key message is that GPA is the primary factor that colleges review.

1. DO NOW:
Which of these 3 is most important to being
accepted into a college?
Letters of Recommendation, SAT/ACT scores, or GPA?
Why did you choose the one that you chose?
(2 complete sentences)

2. WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT FOR
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?

3. WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT FOR
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?
“The most important part
of your application….
regardless of what college
you’re applying to,
Is your high school
transcript.”

4. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT?

5. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT?
A TRANSCRIPT IS A RECORD OF
THE COURSES THAT YOU HAVE
TAKEN (BY YEAR) AND THE
GRADES THAT YOU HAVE
RECEIVED IN THOSE COURSES.

6. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT?
A TRANSCRIPT
INCLUDES YOUR GPA!

7. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT?
WHAT DOES GPA STAND FOR?

8. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT?
GRADE POINT AVERAGE!

9. WHAT’S IS A HIGH SCHOOL
TRYAoNuSCTRuIPTb?e: GPA
CollegeMapper

10. HOW DO YOU CALCULATE YOUR
GPA?

11. HOW DO YOU CALCULATE YOUR
GPA?
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1

12. HOW DO YOU CALCULATE YOUR
GPA?
ADD YOUR TOTAL
AND DIVIDE BY
THE NUMBER OF
COURSES!
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1

13. Practice:

14. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As

15. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As
11
10
3
0
0

16. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As
11
10
3
0
0
Step 2: Multiply
By the Point Value

17. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As
11
10
3
0
0
Step 2: Multiply
By the Point Value
44
30
6
00

18. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As
11
10
3
0
0
Step 2: Multiply
By the Point Value
44
30
6
00
Step 3: Add the
Total Points

19. Practice:
Step 1: Add up the
total number of As
11
10
3
0
0
Step 2: Multiply
By the Point Value
44
30
6
00
Step 3: Add the
Total Points
70

20. Practice:
70

21. Practice:
70 24

22. Practice:
70 24 2.92

23. Now Try it By Yourself!
On your worksheet…
Calculate our imaginary student’s
GPA for grade 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Finally, find the Total GPA.

24. WHAT IS A WEIGHTED GPA?
A WEIGHTED GPA IS BASED ON
THE SIMPLE IDEA THAT SOME
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES ARE
MUCH HARDER THAN OTHERS…

25. WHAT IS A WEIGHTED GPA?
THESE HARD CLASSES
SHOULD CARRY MORE
WEIGHT.
AN 'A' IN AP CALCULUS
REPRESENTS A MUCH
GREATER ACCOMPLISHMENT
THAN AN 'A' IN ALGEBRA.

26. WHAT IS A WEIGHTED GPA?
AP, HONORS, ADVANCED
COURSES: A = 5
B = 4
C = 3
D = 1

27. WHY DO THE CLASSES THAT YOU TAKE MATTER?
WHAT ELSE MATTERS FOR COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE?

28. WHY DO THE CLASSES THAT YOU TAKE MATTER?
WHAT ELSE MATTERS FOR COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE?
“The course selection,
engaging in college
preparatory course work,
challenging yourself in
that coursework, and
maintaining a consistent
transcript, is probably the
first and foremost thing
that people will review”
(for college admissions).

29. WHAT IF I TRY REALLY HARD AND I STILL CAN’T GET
ABOVE A 3.0 GPA?

30. WHAT IF I TRY REALLY HARD AND I STILL CAN’T GET
ABOVE A 3.0 GPA?
If your “GPA is a
2.8, not a 3.0, look
at local colleges
and colleges
around your
state.”

31. FIVE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
COLLEGE!
You can get in. Really.
College admission isn’t as competitive
as you might think. Fewer than 100
colleges in the U.S. are highly selective
(less than 25% get in). Close to 500 four-year
colleges accept more than 75%.

32. FIVE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
COLLEGE!
You are more than your test scores.
Colleges care most about the work that
you’ve done in high school. They look
for students with strong grades in
challenging courses. They also try to
learn about how you are outside of the
classroom through essays and
recommendations.

33. FIVE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
COLLEGE!
You are in charge.
This is your big future-you’re in the
driver’s seat. Stay focused on what’s
important. College planning can feel
overwhelming, but if you take charge
and stay focused on your goals, you can
make it work for you.

34. FIVE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
COLLEGE!
You are unique.
You should base your choice of college
on how well a college fits your needs.
Don’t worry about its rank on a list or
how famous it is. Once you graduate
from college, your achievements and
skills will matter most.

35. FIVE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
COLLEGE!
You are not alone.
Family, teachers, and friends are a great
resource. Discuss your plans to go to
college with them and ask for help or
advice. Make an appointment with a
counselor to talk about the application
process, colleges that will suit you, and
options for financial aid.

36. BACK TO GPA!
UofL GPA Stats:

37. BACK TO GPA!
SMU GPA Stats:

38. BACK TO GPA!
Stanford
GPA Stats:

39. CHECK POWERSCHOOL!
You each have a
username and
password!

40. EXIT TICKET
Have your practice
transcript GPA score
calculation worksheets
ready to turn in!