Definition

Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numeric representation of a student’s academic performance across high school coursework.

What it is

A weighted average of course grades, often on a 4.0 scale.

How it works

Admissions models treat GPA as a primary predictor, adjusting for course rigor (AP, IB, honors) to produce a scaled GPA.

Why it matters

Higher GPAs generally increase the predicted probability of admission, especially at selective institutions.

How it is used in college admissions

Recruiters compare GPA against institutional benchmarks; applicants position themselves by taking challenging courses to boost weighted GPA.

Common misconceptions

A perfect GPA guarantees admission – holistic review still accounts for other factors.

Technical explanation

Models may apply a transformation such as scaledGPA = (rawGPA * weight) + offset where weight reflects course difficulty.