Adjusted GPA

jarvin

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
109
Hi, USAFA finally processed my grades and etc and (given that I had a 3.5 gpa in high school and 3.6 gpa in my college transcripts, with 4 ap classes) it came out to be 3.74. I know that I'm still below average of the 3.8 average of last year so I was wondering how this compares to others. To other candidates: what is your adjusted gpa?
 
theres a kid in my squad who had a 2.89 direct entry no prep school. I had a 3.5
 
I have a 3.98 GPA for USAFA, but I know that the Academy also takes into account the difficulty of the classes; GPA isn't everything.
 
Wow how's that possible?

They could be recruited athletes. Anyway, USAFA looks at you as a WHOLE (i.e. leadership, extracurriculars, athletics etc) not just grades. I got in here with a 3.62 adjusted GPA and that is below average.
 
To be honest, I don't believe that the minimum high School GPA requirement is that high for the academies. However; because 60% of your total score for your application is based on academics, the average student entering the academy has approximately a 3.85 gpa. However, I believe the minimum is between a 2.0-2.5. The academy website USE to say; but I really detest the "New Look". So if someone wants to find the exact number, have at it.

Now, to answer your question of "How is that possible". Imagine a small state/district. The representative has a total of 3 applicants. (Not impossible. Our ENTIRE state had a total of 12 eligible applicants one year). Anyway. Lets say there were even more, but only 3 for this particular district followed through or were committed. Imagine a very "Anti-Military" district. So, the 3 applicants are as follows.

1. 3.95 gpa
2. 3,90 gpa
3. 2.98 gpa

#1 had a presidential nomination. Rep not needed.
#2 had an LOA; Rep can make him/her #10 for all intent and purpose
#3 Now has the #1 slot for the rep. #1 slot, as long as they meet the minimum requirements, gets the slot.

Now; could the rep chosen NOT to nominate? Sure. But what if the kid was a great interview; well rounded like crazy. Did excellent his 10/11/12th grades (all 3.5-4.0). Freshman year, mom dies and the kid takes it hard and says: "Screw It". Ends with a 2.0 gpa. But by the end of the year, s/he and dad and brothers/sisters learn to cope. The Rep is impressed with the come back. Add to this the ALO who sees this drive and potential. Makes for one hell of an "After School Documentary".

Is this scenario likely or practical? Probably not. Then why did I bring it up? Well, those who know me, know that I will tell you over and over that things are not always the way they appear. Never judge if you don't know all the facts. Always give the benefit of the doubt until proven differently. You have no idea of a person's potential. And whenever you think of HOW, WHY, and other similar questions when it comes to people; never think that they are beneath you. Find the good and the truth in others, and you will find the best in yourself. Later.... Mike......
 
To be honest, I don't believe that the minimum high School GPA requirement is that high for the academies. However; because 60% of your total score for your application is based on academics, the average student entering the academy has approximately a 3.85 gpa. However, I believe the minimum is between a 2.0-2.5. The academy website USE to say; but I really detest the "New Look". So if someone wants to find the exact number, have at it.

Now, to answer your question of "How is that possible". Imagine a small state/district. The representative has a total of 3 applicants. (Not impossible. Our ENTIRE state had a total of 12 eligible applicants one year). Anyway. Lets say there were even more, but only 3 for this particular district followed through or were committed. Imagine a very "Anti-Military" district. So, the 3 applicants are as follows.

1. 3.95 gpa
2. 3,90 gpa
3. 2.98 gpa

#1 had a presidential nomination. Rep not needed.
#2 had an LOA; Rep can make him/her #10 for all intent and purpose
#3 Now has the #1 slot for the rep. #1 slot, as long as they meet the minimum requirements, gets the slot.

Now; could the rep chosen NOT to nominate? Sure. But what if the kid was a great interview; well rounded like crazy. Did excellent his 10/11/12th grades (all 3.5-4.0). Freshman year, mom dies and the kid takes it hard and says: "Screw It". Ends with a 2.0 gpa. But by the end of the year, s/he and dad and brothers/sisters learn to cope. The Rep is impressed with the come back. Add to this the ALO who sees this drive and potential. Makes for one hell of an "After School Documentary".

Is this scenario likely or practical? Probably not. Then why did I bring it up? Well, those who know me, know that I will tell you over and over that things are not always the way they appear. Never judge if you don't know all the facts. Always give the benefit of the doubt until proven differently. You have no idea of a person's potential. And whenever you think of HOW, WHY, and other similar questions when it comes to people; never think that they are beneath you. Find the good and the truth in others, and you will find the best in yourself. Later.... Mike......



Like the short answer!! lol but really that is a great point! Always love your answers.
 
They could be recruited athletes. Anyway, USAFA looks at you as a WHOLE (i.e. leadership, extracurriculars, athletics etc) not just grades. I got in here with a 3.62 adjusted GPA and that is below average.

hes not a recruited athlete. Like you said its the whole person concept
 
The adjust gpa is undoubtedly the most difficult part of trying to make APPLES to APPLES comparison; out of a "Fruit Salad". Yes, the some times have adjust gpa's above 4.0. But there are literally thousands of high schools in the country, with each offering different classes. Then, there's 50 states with different requirements. Then there's schools that offer the kids the IB program but limited numbers of AP classes. (If you do IB, there's not really any room for an AP class other than as one of your 2 electives). There's also schools that offer AP, but not IB. Some have neither. Some have those plus college share time. (You take college classes twice a week in the afternoon at the local community college). Then; throw on this the fact that some school weight classes and some don't. I can tell you that if your school DOESN'T weight your gpa because of the classes, and you have a 4.0gpa, it's difficult mathematically for the academy to make an adjusted score of higher than the 4.0. However, if your gpa is weighted at a 4.9, the academy can adjust it down to a 4.2.

Now that my son is already in his 2nd year, I'll mention it. His school doesn't weight classes. He was in the IB program. Complete program that was all advanced classes with pretty much only 1 or 2 electives. (If you were willing to have an 8-9 class semester). Almost no IB students could even take AP classes because their schedule is done for them. Anyway; he graduated with a 4.0 gpa Unweighted. And because the school didn't weight, they did control class ranking. He was #1 while another 4.0 in "Normal" classes was ranked #8. But when the academy adjusted his GPA, it was left at a 4.0 gpa.

Now, how that compares to the other thousands of high schools is the hard part. We can discuss it a lot here, but there is not definitive answer. Why? Because all the applicants on the forum did not go to the same school. That's where the schedule, school profile, and many other factors come in. I suggest that if you don't agree or like your adjusted gpa, that you simply contact your academy counselor. S/He will tell you exactly how it was computed. And they have "RE-adjusted" because of honest mistakes or overlook of difficult classes. Contact them. Best of luck. Mike....
 
I didn't know that USAFA weighted GPA. I have taken college classes so I would think that those would definitely count. Mine is only 3.88 unweighted, but I think they were a little rough since I am home schooled.

Later,

Brian
 
Back
Top