Does your college transcript reflect letter grades for each class or provide specific numerical grades? My college only lists letter grades—A, B, C, etc.—without any modifiers like A+. For instance, if I earn a 90% in a class, it appears on my transcript as an A, resulting in a 4.0 GPA instead of a 3.7 for an A-. I’m curious if this is common practice. I anticipated seeing precise numerical grades and GPAs, especially since I’m planning to transfer. Will most colleges show exact grades, or do they tend to give inflated grades like mine?
Does your college only put letter grades for each class, or exact grades for each class on your transcript?
It’s not uncommon for colleges to adopt different grading systems, and the approach your college takes is one that some institutions use. Many schools choose to standardize grades into broader categories to simplify the grading scale for GPA calculations.
Some colleges do provide exact numerical grades along with letter grades, offering more precise representations of students’ performance. However, the absence of plus/minus grades—as in your case—can lead to what some perceive as inflated GPAs.
When transferring, it’s important to check the grading policies of your prospective schools. Most colleges have guidelines for how they evaluate transfer transcripts, and they may recalculate your GPA based on their own grading system. It can vary widely, so contacting the admissions offices or reviewing their transfer policy documents can provide clarity.
Overall, while your experience is valid, rest assured that each institution has its own grading framework, and transferring should not significantly impact your academic standing unless otherwise specified by the new school. Good luck with your transfer!