“What is a good GPA for university?” is a question many students seek an answer to. Experts say, at minimum, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 to graduate and be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Colleges monitor the GPA scores of their students. Students are expected to get a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Any student scoring below that can face dire consequences like academic probation. At the worst, falling below the minimum GPA could lead to dismissal from the enrolled program. So, what is a good GPA for university, and how do you measure your GPA?
What is “GPA”?
GPA is an abbreviation for “Grade Point Average.” It is a numerical representation of the grades you have achieved in your courses. Most institutions hand students traditional letter grades such as A and F. However, most academic results have GPAs. GPA is measured on a scale of 0 to 4.0, 4.0 being the highest
How Is It Measured?
A good GPA is measured based on the; credits attempted, final grades earned, and the point value for the grades earned.
Credits attempted to refer to the number of credits for the courses you are taking at the institution. Therefore, final grades are the grades you earned in the program, while the grade point values refer to the points awarded for each grade. For example, an A has a 4.00 point value, while a B has a 3.00. A “C” has a 2.00 grade, and a D has a 1.00 value.
The main formulae used to calculate GPA is dividing the total points earned by the student in a program by the sum of the credits attempted. The resulting figure will be the GPA for that course.
Formula;
Grade Point Average= Total Points Earned
Total Credits Attempted
Let us look at a practical example to help you understand better. Assuming student X took the following credit hours and earned the below grades, Here is the transcript of student X:
STUDENT TRANSCRIPT | |||
COURSE | CREDIT HOURS | GRADE | GRADE POINTS |
Mathematics | 5 | A | 20 |
Chemistry | 1 | B | 3 |
Chemistry Lab | 5 | C | 10 |
English | 5 | F | 0 |
16 hours credit hours | 33-grade points |
According to the example above, X has attempted 16 credit hours and 33-grade points. So, referring to our formula above, we will calculate X’s GPA ;
33 points earned divide by 16 credits attempted to get a GPA of 2.06
Should you fail in a class, you will not earn any grade points for that class. However, when calculating GPA, the credits attempted are included in the final total credits attempted. That is why your GPA can fail if you fail in a class. Now that you understand how the GPA is measured let us look at a good GPA for university.
What is a Good GPA for University?
In high school, the average GPA is 3.0 and has always been 3.0 for several decades now. However, the definition of what is a good GPA for university is a controversial matter. Some experts argue that a GPA of 2.0 is ideal. Unfortunately, a 2.0 GPA is barely enough to ensure a student graduates or gets admitted to an institution.
The register shows that any score above 2.0 demonstrates satisfactory academic progress. However, students who score 3.00 onwards tend to qualify for honors programs and make it to the dean’s list. Thus, the answer to a good GPA for university is 3.00 or a grade of B. Therefore, if you score a GPA of 3.00 or higher than that, it will be beneficial to your resume (it is optional to add your GPA to your resume). Also, it will set you aside from the competition.
What is a good GPA for university, and why should it matter to you? You have been told over and over that your GPA matters. So you probably wondering if your GPA matters and why?
Your GPA will be considered in your application when looking to join a medical or graduate school after undergraduate college. A good GPA is among the primary considerations of an admissions board. Though combined with interviews, assessment, and personal essays, your GPA plays a significant role. Furthermore, You may not be planning to attend a graduate program, so why should GPA matter to you? Your GPA score can be helpful to help you penetrate the job market. During interviews, most companies consider the applicant’s GPA scores. Thus, a good GPA score will give you a competitive advantage. Also, your GPA matters when it comes to being eligible for federal financial aid. If a student performs poorly or continues to score below the average GPA score, they may get their financial assistance rescinded.
According to the department of education, if you fail to meet the set GPA requirements and consequently lose your financial aid, there are some measures you can take. You can inquire with the school if they can help you appeal the financial aid decision. According to the department, if you are lucky enough to have your federal aid restored, you must work hard and meet the set school standards and GPA requirements.
How can you raise your GPA?
- Check your transcript and look out for courses in which you may not have performed well. If possible, redo these courses over the summer
- Work with a tutor or a teacher if you need help with a particular subject
- Apply to schools that take your current GPA. For example, the University of the People requires successful applicants to have a high school completion certificate and pass an English admission exam.
- Find out whether any honors or specific courses have weight in your GPA score. If there is, ensure to work extremely hard on the subject.
Conclusion
For college students looking to join graduate schools, a low GPA can be quite problematic. With many programs having specific requirements for admission, you need to focus on your studies. While the requirements to join a program are not universal, most institutions need their applicants to have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for admission. Besides getting into graduate school, a high GPA will help you get into the job market and be eligible for federal financial aid. Now you know what a good GPA is and how to calculate it.