International applicats, what are you writing in the GPA section?

[metaphysician]

Hi all, 

I graduated from a university that uses the British grading system. How have others dealt with this? I have either left it blank or written "First Class Honours". One of my letter writers will address this. Thanks! 

[hippyscientist]

I contacted the universities I applied to and asked what they preferred if it wasn't explicitly addressed on the form. Also, congrats on your first!! 

[metaphysician]

Thanks, piglet33! Good luck to you! 

[Cromulent Flurp]

The applications I've done have almost all been specific in their requests: to use my own university's GPA system, to convert it, or to leave it blank if outside the US. Where it hasn't specified, I've converted my GPA to the US scale. 

[samori]

Same issues here. How much do departments know about UK grading - specifically MAs? I'm concerned they're going to look at 70% and think I got Cs on everything. My transcript comes with a marking scale but 70-100% doesn't really explain anything... something worth asking a letter writer to explain?

[metaphysician]

1 hour ago, hot.glass said:

Same issues here. How much do departments know about UK grading - specifically MAs? I'm concerned they're going to look at 70% and think I got Cs on everything. My transcript comes with a marking scale but 70-100% doesn't really explain anything... something worth asking a letter writer to explain?

Yeah, I think it's worth getting a letter writer to explain and flagging in your personal statement. I am unsure what to write for 'cumulative GPA' — at my university honours are awarded on the basis of one's final year and I spent my third year studying at an American university. How the hell I am supposed to combine these? 

[samori]

38 minutes ago, metaphysician said:

Yeah, I think it's worth getting a letter writer to explain and flagging in your personal statement. I am unsure what to write for 'cumulative GPA' — at my university honours are awarded on the basis of one's final year and I spent my third year studying at an American university. How the hell I am supposed to combine these? 

Oof. Is it mandatory to enter this, or is there a section where you could explain (or upload an explanation) as to provide clarification? Surely they should recognise things aren't always as simple as one straightforward GPA...

[hippyscientist]

Most schools are aware that 99% of the world don't grade the same. So normally they will have a policy for students who are coming from grading systems that aren't on a 4.0 scale. In other words, you are not the first person applying from your country and you won't be the last. Each school will do things differently, for example one of mine had me put my GPA as 0.0 then explain why in a text box later down while another made me put in my grade in my grading system, whereas another asked to leave it blank. In simple terms, EMAIL YOUR ADMINISTRATOR FOR YOUR PROGRAMME. They will tell you what they want you to do for their school and their programme. Most of these concerns are easily addressed with a short, polite email asking.

Edited January 6, 2016 by piglet33
spelling