This report investigates how schools that provide unweighted GPA and/or limit the number of advanced courses may impact students’ chances of admission to select higher education institutions. A brief overview of admissions processes at profiled institutions is provided to suggest how GPA and advanced course limits influence admissions decisions. In addition, see how school officials should communicate policy changes to admissions offices to avoid disadvantaging students.
Admissions processesAt comprehensive and class rank-based institutions, admissions officers assess academic performance in the context of the applicant’s school. All seven profiled institutions assess applicants’ academic achievement based on the rigor of the courses they complete and their grades in those courses . Our research identified admissions processes at profiled institutions fell into three categories: comprehensive, class-rank-based, and standardized.
School-provided GPAGPA and advanced course limits influence admissions decisions in part of a larger context. Providing unweighted GPAs doesn't disadvantage applicants to institutions that recalculate GPAs. But providing unweighted GPA may disadvantage applicants to institutions that prioritize GPA as an indicator of student success. When this occurs on a repeat basis, admissions officers can develop a system to rank applicants based on how previous students from the school perform.
College-level courseworkAll admissions officers we surveyed note that they evaluate course rigor on a school-by-school basis, not across all schools. When it comes to recommendations for student courseload, it can vary from school to school, as you could expect it to vary between specific students.
Communicating policy changesClearly indicate changes to grading and course policies in the school…