f you are planning to study at a US university, you will come across the term GPA quite often. GPA stands for Grade Point Average and is one of the main ways American universities measure academic performance. Your grades can affect your chances of admission, academic scholarships and, if you want to compete in college sports, your athletic eligibility as well. For international students, however, GPA can be confusing. Most countries use a grading system that is different from the American 4.0 scale. So how are your grades converted? What does a 7, 80% or a 14/20 mean in the US system? And does the GPA on your official evaluation always match a simple grade conversion?
What is een GPA?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. In the United States, universities generally use a scale from 0.0 to 4.0 to measure a student’s academic performance.
Your GPA may be used when a university considers:
- Your application for admission
- Academic or merit-based scholarships
- Your eligibility for college sports
- Admission to honors programs
- Your academic progress after enrollment
For international students, your GPA is usually based on your previous academic record after your grades and courses have been evaluated according to US standards.
Why does your GPA matter?
Your GPA is only one part of a US university application, but it can be an important one.
Admission
Every university has its own admission requirements. Some schools are very selective, while others have more flexible academic requirements.
A higher GPA generally gives you more options, particularly if you are looking at competitive universities or degree programs.
Academic scholarships
Many US universities offer academic or merit-based scholarships. These are separate from athletic scholarships and are often based on academic performance, test scores or other achievements.
For student-athletes, this can be especially useful. If you receive an academic scholarship as well as athletic aid, the combination can reduce the amount you need to pay yourself.
College sports eligibility
If you want to compete in college sports, your academic record can also be reviewed by an athletic governing body such as the NCAA or NAIA.
The eligibility requirements are different from the admission requirements of a university, so meeting a university’s admission standard does not automatically mean that you meet the eligibility requirements for college sports.
Your options after graduation
Your academic record can also influence which universities and programs are realistic for you. If your GPA is on the lower side, that does not mean studying in the US is impossible.
There are universities with different academic requirements, as well as two-year colleges (community colleges) and transfer pathways that can provide other options.
Wat is een goede GPA in Amerika?
Er bestaat geen universele “minimale GPA” die voor iedere universiteit geldt. Wel geven de onderstaande richtlijnen een goed beeld van hoe Amerikaanse universiteiten jouw cijfers beoordelen:
| GPA Schaal | Amerikaanse Beoordeling | Inschatting Kansen |
| 3.7 – 4.0 | Excellent (A) | Uitstekend; recht op de hoogste academische beurzen |
| 3.3 – 3.6 | Above Average (B+) | Zeer sterk; uitstekende toelating en beurskansen |
| 3.0 – 3.2 | Average (B) | Goed; voldoet aan eisen van veruit de meeste scholen |
| 2.5 – 2.9 | Below Average (C) | Voldoende voor toelating, maar beperkte academische beurs |
| Onder 2.5 | Academic Risk | Uitdagend; beperkte schoolkeuze en verhoogde monitoring |
Why isn’t your GPA simply the average of all your grades?
When an international transcript is evaluated, the evaluator does more than just calculate the average of the numbers on your report card. The individual courses, credits, grading system and level of education may all be taken into account. This is particularly important for students applying to US universities or seeking athletic eligibility.
What are core courses?
For college sports eligibility, the NCAA and other organizations look at specific academic courses rather than simply using every subject on your transcript.
Depending on the evaluation, relevant subjects can include:
- English and other languages
- Mathematics
- Natural sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology
- Social sciences such as history, geography and economics
Subjects such as physical education, music and some arts or elective courses may be treated differently depending on the evaluation.
This is one reason why your official evaluated GPA can be different from the number you get by simply converting your overall average.
Official GPA-evaluation through TEC (The Evaluation Company)
Made Scholarships works with The Evaluation Company (TEC), formerly known as SpanTran. TEC evaluates international academic credentials and provides official reports for US institutions.
Through our partnership, Made Scholarships students receive discounted rates on TEC evaluation reports:
- Course Analysis: for NCAA/NAIA and university applications — $170 instead of $190
- General Analysis with GPA: $90 instead of $110
The type of evaluation you need depends on the university, athletic organization and your individual situation.
If an official evaluation is required, TEC reviews your academic records and provides an evaluation report that can be sent to the relevant university or organization.
For some US university applications and athletic eligibility processes, you may need an official credential evaluation.
Read more about credential evaluations.
Does your GPA matter after you arrive in the US?
Yes, getting accepted to a university is only the beginning. Once you are on campus, you need to maintain the academic standards required by your university and the applicable athletic organization in order not to lose your scholarship.
Universities have their own academic progress requirements. If your grades fall below the required level, you may be placed on academic probation.
For student-athletes, falling behind academically can also affect your ability to compete or receive financial aid.
The exact rules vary from one university to another, so make sure you understand the academic requirements before you enroll.
Free GPA assessment by Made Scholarships
Not sure how your grades will be viewed by US universities?
Made Scholarships offers a free preliminary GPA assessment for students interested in studying in the United States.
We look at your academic record and give you an initial indication of how your grades may translate to the US system. For student-athletes, we can also look at the courses that may be relevant to NCAA or NAIA eligibility. This gives you a better idea of your academic profile before you start contacting universities.