What’s in a GPA?

By Brad Thompson, FPD Director of College Counseling

At First Presbyterian Day School (FPD), one of the most common questions we hear in the College Counseling office is: What exactly goes into calculating my GPA? Whether you’re a student striving for the HOPE Scholarship or a parent navigating the college application process, understanding GPA types and their significance can make all the difference. Let’s break it down.

College GPA: The Metric Colleges Use

When it comes to college admissions, the College GPA plays a major role—alongside factors like course rigor and standardized test scores. FPD does not send a calculated GPA to colleges. We provide your official transcript, and each college applies its own GPA formula. Most colleges use the 4.0 scale (A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, F = 0 points). After that, their methods vary: some calculate a cumulative GPA using all classes, others focus on core academic courses. Some use an unweighted GPA (removing FPD’s Honors and AP grade boosts), while others use a weighted GPA (keeping those boosts). The College GPA calculation starts in 9th grade. Colleges typically review grades through 11th grade during fall of senior year applications, making those first three years crucial. A passing D (70-73 at FPD) is seen as a 1.0 on the 4.0 scale. A pattern of Cs and Ds can pull a College GPA to around 2.0, a threshold that may limit options, as most colleges prefer GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

HOPE GPA: The Scholarship Standard

The HOPE GPA is key for qualifying for Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, and it has its own rules. The HOPE GPA only includes core classes (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language) from all four years. Grades are converted to the 4.0 scale. HOPE removes FPD’s grade boosts—2 points for Honors classes and 3 points for AP classes. However, HOPE does add 0.5 points for AP or Dual Enrollment courses on the 4.0 scale, never exceeding 4.0. A 3.0 HOPE GPA is required for most scholarship awards. All Bs = safe. A C? You’ll need an A elsewhere to balance it out.

FPD GPA: Recognizing Academic Excellence

FPD calculates its own GPA for school honors. This GPA is used to recognize Honor Graduates and Honor Graduates with Distinction. It includes core academic courses plus Bible classes over all four years. FPD’s GPA keeps the grade boosts—2 points for Honors classes and 3 points for AP classes. To be named an Honor Graduate, a student must have a 90 or above average. A student on the Accelerated Track with a 90 or above average earns the distinction of Honor Graduate with Distinction.

GPA can feel complicated, but understanding how each type works helps you set goals that align with both college admissions and scholarship requirements. Stay proactive, focus on strong core grades, and use the resources in FPD’s College Counseling Department to stay on track. But don’t forget—the Lord has a plan for your life far greater than any number on a transcript.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Ready to plan your path to college success? Contact FPD’s College Counseling Office for personalized guidance. (Brad.Thompson@fpdmacon.org)