what gpa do colleges look at

Colleges look at a student’s grade point average (GPA) as an indicator of their academic performance and potential for success in college. The GPA is calculated based on the grades a student earns in high school, usually on a scale of 0-4.0.

Most colleges consider the overall GPA, but also look at the GPA in specific academic areas such as math and science. Some colleges also consider the rigor of the high school curriculum and the percentage of students in the student’s high school who go to college.

The average GPA that colleges look for varies by college, but generally, highly selective colleges look for a GPA of 3.5 or higher, while less selective colleges may be satisfied with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. However, a student with a lower GPA can still be accepted to a college if they have other strengths such as outstanding extracurricular activities, leadership or volunteer experience, or a unique talent or interest.

It’s important to note that some colleges may also look at other factors besides GPA, such as test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation, to make a holistic evaluation of an applicant