Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA?

[Aristobolus]

On the ROTC Scholarship Applications the student is only able to put his unweighted GPA. However, my son for example will have taken ten AP courses and seven IB courses by the end of his studies. Thus there is currently a huge disparity in his unweighted (3.17) and weighted (3.63) GPA's. Should the ROTC Programs recognize situations like this, and at least allow the student to put both on his application? We all know that there is no standard way to evaluate GPA's school to school. So why not allow both to be put on the application? Just curious on the thoughts out there.

 

[kpmom2013]

Not all high schools provide a weighted GPA, and those that do may use different methods of weighting. Each SA and ROTC program has its own method of weighting a candidate's GPA and will do so once transcripts are received. If you apply to multiple SA's or ROTC programs, you may see a different weighted GPA calculated for each. They will definitely notice whether a candidate has taken AP and/or IB classes and take that into consideration in the evaluation of the academic portion of the application. Good luck.

 

[Razrbck]

I believe that the SA's look at courses and school that a candidate comes from. I am worried that ROTC just goes by unweighted GPA without regards to school or Honors and AP courses. My hopes are that they rely on the SAT/ACT because that gives them more of an equal playing field to compare. When I see 3.8 GPA or higher and 1200 SAT it makes me wonder why the SAT is low or why the GPA is so high?

 

[AROTC-dad]

Mod Note:
Moving this thread to the ROTC forum for better exposure.

 

[Aristobolus]

With each applicant only getting a few minutes a piece, my only question is why not allow both GPA's to be featured? Perhaps the thinking is that for those who do not have a weighted GPA it could put them at a disadvantage. But the reverse could be true as well. No matter how many AP or IB courses an applicant takes that initial unweighted GPA will stick in mind of some.

 

[Razrbck]

I agree that our society is stuck on evaluating students on GPA. Again I would hope board members know that GPA’s are not what they seem. They need to look at candidates resume, School description, transcript, and essays. I can tell you that when I see a high SAT/ACT score and a low GPA that student has taken the hardest courses at the hardest schools.

 

[Stealth_81]

I can tell you that when I see a high SAT/ACT score and a low GPA that student has taken the hardest courses at the hardest schools.

No. I've seen plenty of high ACT/low GPA students who are just lazy and don’t apply themselves.

Stealth_81

 

[Aristobolus]

No. I've seen plenty of high ACT/low GPA students who are just lazy and don’t apply themselves.

Stealth_81

I'm sure that's out there as well. What about putting both weighted and unweighted GPA's on the web page? I don't have an axe to grind. Just curious.

 

[Razrbck]

No. I've seen plenty of high ACT/low GPA students who are just lazy and don’t apply themselves.

Stealth_81

Then the transcript and school they go to will show that. They usually are not leaders if they don’t apply themselves. If they have a high SAT/ACT then they are capable.

 

[sfburd]

No. I've seen plenty of high ACT/low GPA students who are just lazy and don’t apply themselves.

Stealth_81

That right there is very factual. I am guilty of having been one of those people during my freshman and sophomore year of hs. I set the bare minimum as my standard despite having the ability to challenge myself and take harder classes. My test scores were good but my homework sucked, making my grade suck, thus giving me a low GPA. By the time I realized the path I was taking during the end of sophomore year it was too late and most of the damage had already been done from my first two years of hs. Despite taking AP's, grinding to get my GPA up, and doing everything I could to become involved in my community and school, my lack of effort seriously affected how I looked in my ROTC application. I want to show that I've changed as a person and want to use AROTC to show that, as well as challenge myself. I know the damage can't be reversed and even if I don't get the scholarship I'm gonna join AROTC no matter what.

Guess what I'm tryna say is that you should never not strive for the standard and always apply yourself, the test score isn't what makes the person and I learned that the hard way.

 

[Aristobolus]

That right there is very factual. I am guilty of having been one of those people during my freshman and sophomore year of hs. I set the bare minimum as my standard despite having the ability to challenge myself and take harder classes. My test scores were good but my homework sucked, making my grade suck, thus giving me a low GPA. By the time I realized the path I was taking during the end of sophomore year it was too late and most of the damage had already been done from my first two years of hs. Despite taking AP's, grinding to get my GPA up, and doing everything I could to become involved in my community and school, my lack of effort seriously affected how I looked in my ROTC application. I want to show that I've changed as a person and want to use AROTC to show that, as well as challenge myself. I know the damage can't be reversed and even if I don't get the scholarship I'm gonna join AROTC no matter what.

Guess what I'm tryna say is that you should never not strive for the standard and always apply yourself, the test score isn't what makes the person and I learned that the hard way.

Best Wishes!