Schools standardize GPAs
By Ashley Hopkins, contributing writer
Posted on October 2, 2006

With practically every school district in the nation having different grading scales, it’s often difficult for college admissions committees to accurately compare grades and admit the most qualified applicants.

“At first, I thought it was unfair that all of the other schools were graded differently,” freshman Kelly Barnes said. “But in a way I was grateful, because at least I was prepared for the college grading level and wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time adapting to it.”

Each year JMU receives applicants from over 2,000 different high schools. Since it is nearly impossible to come up with a set standard for comparing grades, JMU has adopted its own approach.

“We don’t really look at GPAs anymore,” said Michael Walsh, director of admissions.  “We look at grades in classes.”

When reviewing a high school transcript, admissions start by rating the student’s curriculum. They look at how far a student went in a particular subject, how many classes they took, as well as the difficulty of classes taken, Walsh said.  Students taking Advanced Placement and honors classes have a better chance of being accepted.

While looking at the types of classes taken, the Admissions Committee count the number of A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. for core classes, which include English, math, science, social studies and foreign language.

Students with solid grades in four or more courses each year of high school have an advantage in the admissions process.

While rating a potential student’s curriculum, the admissions department considers the high school’s profile, which they review while reading the student’s transcripts.

Admissions also consider the classes each applicant has taken in regard to those offered by their high school. Since most high schools do not offer the same AP and honors classes, it’s unfair to judge them the same, Walsh said.

JMU may have a system in place for dealing with varying GPAs from different school districts, but many colleges across the country are making efforts to make grading less subjunctive by standardizing grading scales and the grading process in school systems across the country, The Washington Post reported.

“[Standardizing] would definitely help us,” Walsh said. “I don’t see it happening, but it would help us.”
But students have mixed feelings when it comes to standardizing grading scales throughout school districts.

Freshman Michael Duggan said standardization is a great idea. 

“It is unfair and illogical to have different grading scales,” he said. “It makes the most sense to have one standard grading scale. It would make it easier for colleges and make it fair for everyone.”

Freshman Ashlie Hale, however, doesn’t see the need for standardization.

“It all works out in the end. It may seem unfair at the time, but that is something that colleges look at when you apply.”