Do colleges look more at your GPA, or the actual grades you got?

Question

If you got one D, would they look at that, or would they just look and see your overall GPA is 3.6?

Answer 1

For scholarships, they look at your cumulative GPA. If you are a recent graduate, they will also look at your test scores (ACT, SAT, etc.) as well as any extra-curricular activities that you may have participated in. Make sure you present yourself as a well-rounded individual, not just academic.

Answer 2

One D won't kill you. If it's the only blemish on your record, have one of your counselors mention it in their letter of recommendation:
"I admire how hard Jo/e worked in this class. S/he was involved in a zillion extra-curriculars, including student body president and captain of four sports. S/he was taking seven AP courses, helping his/her mother recover from a stroke by preparing all the meals for his/her mom and 15 younger brothers/sisters, while still finding time to lead the statewide Darfur food drive. Did I mention s/he was recovering from the malaria s/he caught on the spring break mission trip to Haiti?"

Colleges look at the grades in the courses. If you got a B in AP Biology, they may look at that as good or better than an A in regular Biology. If you take the AP exam and do well, even better.

Is the 3.6 a weighted grade? Or is it a standard A=4, B=3 sort of thing?

Colleges will also look at your class standing. A 3.6 is good unless everyone else at your high school has a 3.8, in which case, it's bad.

Answer 3

Yes, they would look at that D, but it depends on what class you took and when you took it , and what you are planning on studying, if you mentioned it in your college essays. I earned a 75, in one particular class, and still got into a 7-year med program, so it should make no difference, and my GPA was lower than a 3.6. It depends on the activities that you do outside of school, those make a lasting impression on colleges.

Answer 4

Well it really depends what level of college you are talking about. Since you are asking this now, i'm guessing you are in highschool and this is your first time into college. they will look at your gpa more, however, if you got that D in a class that's important ex. Calculus and say you want to major in Math in college then that's not gonna look good. and if you are thinking about getting into a Master's program then a D looks really bad. I hope that helps.

Answer 5

it depends on what college you go too ...honestly your gpa is whats important and thats by your junior year....so whatever your gpa is your junior year thats what colleges will ask for. And trust me i got accepted into all the colleges i applied to including Seton Hall.....my gpa was 3.4 so dont get to caught up on one D also if you have done extra-curricular activities colleges wont get caught up on one D... Colleges are businesses and although they are looking for qualified students you must remember at the end of the day they want your money...so get so down on yourself try harder next time and look at it as a lesson well learned