A ONE Institute
Mar 16, 2024
And What Should I Do?
Today’s post is about GPA inflation and the phenomenon of schools giving higher GPAs. With this situation in mind, let’s explore some answers on how to navigate it.
Divergence of Standardized Test Scores and GPA
Among the four evaluation factors for college admissions—GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays—GPA stands out as the most critical. Even if you’re perfectly prepared in other areas, your GPA still matters!
However, there’s a phenomenon where GPAs are inflated. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between GPA and ACT scores:
The purple line represents ACT scores.
The blue line represents GPA scores.
From 2018 onward, there’s a sharp increase in GPA, but this doesn’t necessarily mean students suddenly became smarter. If we examine the ACT graph, we notice a slight downward trend in scores.
In summary, there’s a significant divergence between GPA and ACT scores, akin to an alligator’s open jaws.
Grade Inflation - GPA
Now, let’s visualize GPA:
The blue line represents students with an A grade.
The purple line represents students with a B grade.
The green line represents students with a C grade.
Observations:
Students with C grades have decreased slightly.
Students with B grades have dramatically decreased.
Students with A grades have increased significantly.
This confirms the inflation in GPA.
UC Research Data
Research from UC schools reveals interesting trends. Let’s look at a bar graph showing the GPA of admitted students:
In 2001, high school students with both high and low GPAs had a similar portion of admissions.
However, by 2015, students with weighted GPAs above 4.0 significantly increased, occupying a broader portion of admissions.
This trend is prevalent across most universities.
College Board Data
According to data released by the College Board:
In the 2021 admissions cycle, over 55% of students received an average A grade or higher upon graduation.
While this isn’t typical, having so many students with good GPAs indicates that high schools are generously awarding GPAs, a crucial factor for college admissions.
UC & Fordham Data
Further analysis shows that:
Students from top public schools and private schools tend to have higher GPAs.
In other words, economically privileged students attending high schools tend to receive higher GPAs.
Fordham’s data also supports this trend.
In Summary: GPA, GPA Inflation, and Socioeconomic Factors
The most crucial factor for college admissions is GPA. However, we’ve observed a phenomenon of GPA inflation, particularly favoring economically privileged students. Many universities are aware of this reality.
For instance, let’s consider MIT:
In April 2021, MIT followed a Test Optional policy.
By March 2022, they switched back to requiring standardized test scores (such as SAT/ACT).
Their rationale: “Our research shows standardized tests help us better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants.”
MIT’s Dean also emphasized that standardized exams assist in identifying socioeconomically disadvantaged students who are well-prepared for MIT’s rigorous education but lack opportunities for advanced coursework or expensive enrichment.
While the Test Optional policy aimed to level the playing field for low-income students, it inadvertently exacerbated inequality. Thus, many universities now emphasize submitting test scores as a fairer evaluation method.
Currently, UC schools are developing their own exams, and Harvard follows a Test Optional policy. Both institutions acknowledge that SAT/ACT scores provide a good estimate of a student’s potential performance at their university.
As our data at A-One Institute confirms, many high schools generously award GPAs. Economically privileged students tend to have higher GPAs. While universities can’t entirely abandon profit motives, they recognize the need for fairness.
Let’s address some common questions:
Should I choose a private school with generous GPA grading for college admissions?
Remember that almost all colleges are aware of private schools’ GPA inflation. Consider this when making your decision.
I’m in 11th grade. Should I engage in extracurricular activities (ECs) this summer or focus on improving my test scores?
If you’re aiming for top 20 colleges, boosting standardized test scores (like SAT/ACT) remains a strong admission strategy.
Today, we discussed GPA inflation and its implications. If you have further questions across various fields, feel free to reach out to us at A-One Institute. We’re here to provide friendly answers.
Thank you!