Highschool GPA for College Entrance?

Question

Stanford's website states that thier average GPA for incoming freshmen is at a 3.9 from highschool. Is this based on a weighted or unweighted GPA scale? Is it only academic classes? Do classes like AVID, Art I P, and Speech and Debate get claculated into my GPA?

The average GPA, what students are included, the ones who applied (all 22,000) or the ones who got admitted (1,600), or the ones who enroll (~750)?

I heard that even an Art class gets claculated into your GPA, is this true?

Do only my classes for my 10th and 11th years calculated? Does PE count into my GPA?

Answer 1

I actually think the 3.9 is unweighted. It makes sense considering the school. Otherwise it'd probably be something like 4.4 (UNC-CH reports only weighted and they're 4.1). Regardless if it's weighted or not, it's almost certainly the stats for those who have been accepted and entered the freshmen class (they'd note it otherwise).

And all of your classes do count in the GPA. Even something like Intro to Modern Dance (cough, cough). The admissions officer will probably pay more attention to your core and serious elective classes though.

Note: Their GPA stats probably exclude those of people on athletic scholarships merely b/c this would drag their GPA down.

Answer 2

it is a weighted GPA... elective classes really don't count for you, but always remember they still count against you. Your main focus should be your core classes such as english, math, science, or any classes your school offer toward your major.