Dutch grading system conversion

[Eruthos]

Hi guys,

 

I am applying for a PhD position at several universities in the US for Fall 2014. Currently I am finishing my MSc in Aerospace Engineering in the Netherlands. My main problem is the conversion of grades. I have an official document from the Dutch instituation called 'Nuffic', which shows a rough conversion scale of Dutch grades into UK/US grades. In my SOP I plan to briefly mention what my averages would be in the US system, but when they look at my transcripts they see all my grades on a scale from 1-10.

 

According to Nuffic grades 6.5 - 7 are in the B-B+ range, while 7.5 - 8.5 is A-A+. Still, a 6.5 may be interpreted as a C by a committee member that does not know how to convert or interpret these grades. So... should I somehow include this official document (and if so, where?), or just hope for the best?

 

Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

Universities get lots of applications from different countries and they deal with them just fine. I wouldn't worry. I also wouldn't explain my grades in my SOP, it would be out of place there. At most you could add an explanation to the CV line about your BA saying "Average grade 6.5 (equivalent to B+)" or some such. 

[St Andrews Lynx]

That could be something for one of your letter writers to mention in their reference ("Eruthos got a _ grade, scoring _th out of _ candidates in their final exam", etc). Also check if the institutions you are applying to have any requirements. Most applications want your official university transcripts, some ask for official grade conversions - though I can imagine that large international American universities might already have a Dutch degree conversation guide "on file".