Improving Your GPA
Students wishing to raise their GPA may not realize that they have the opportunity to repeat a course in which they have received a grade of D, D+, or F. Please see the Undergraduate Catalog for complete information about this policy. Some students take courses at other institutions with the hopes of raising their GPA. However, please note that DeSales University only accepts the grades from our five partner institutions in the LVAIC consortium. As a result, while we do accept credits from other non-LVAIC institutions, those non-LVAIC credits do not affect your GPA. Learn more about taking courses through LVAIC institutions.
Estimating Your GPA Using the GPA Wizard
The GPA Wizard allows you to explore how your GPA may change in the future depending upon a variety of circumstances. You can choose from several options including:
- Estimate your anticipated Term GPA (commonly called "Semester GPA") and then see how that Term GPA would impact your Cumulative GPA
- Estimate the impact of repeating courses and then learn what type of grades you would need in order to reach a target Cumulative GPA
- Learn what type of grades you would need in order to reach a target Cumulative GPA (without repeating any courses)
- Chart your semester-by-semester progress using either Term GPA or Cumulative GPA
Be sure to read all directions carefully so that you can maximize the potential of the GPA Wizard. Please note that you will need Microsoft Excel 2007 or a converter for earlier versions of Microsoft Excel.
Estimating Your GPA By Hand
Students can identify their Grade Point Average (GPA) in WebAdvisor. For the Cumulative GPA, click on "Transcript" (under the Academic Profile heading of the main menu) and scroll to the bottom of this page. For your GPA in a particular term, click on "Grade Point Average by Term" (also under Academic Profile) and select the semester or term of interest to you.
In some cases, you may need more information than you can find in WebAdvisor. For example, you may wish to determine your GPA in your major (sometimes useful for resumes) or you may wish to estimate your anticipated GPA after the current semester. Using a very simple formula and a calculator, you can determine your Cumulative GPA, your Term GPA, and/or your GPA in Major.
First, you will need a list of the courses for which you want to calculate the GPA. This list must include the number of credits for each course and the grade for each course. You can obtain this information from WebAdvisor. If you are estimating your future GPA, you can insert your anticipated grades.
For example, if you were attempting to estimate your term GPA for the current semester, your list might look like this:
| Course |
Credits |
Anticipated Grade
|
| EN 103 |
3 |
A- |
| BI 242 |
4 |
B |
| PS 109 |
3 |
A |
| SP 101 |
3 |
C+ |
| MG 201 |
3 |
A- |
| PE 100 |
1 |
Pass
|
Second, you will need to determine how many grade points each individual letter grade is worth. The Grading System, as found in the Undergraduate Catalog, will help you with this:
| Grade |
Grade Points |
| A |
4.0 |
| A- |
3.7 |
| B+ |
3.3 |
| B |
3.0 |
| B- |
2.7 |
| C+ |
2.3 |
| C |
2.0 |
| C- |
1.7 |
| D+ |
1.3 |
| D |
1.0 |
| F |
0.0 |
Please note that neither pass-fail courses nor audited courses are calculated into your GPA. Furthermore, only the grades from transfer courses taken at LVAIC institutions will be computed into your GPA. All transfer courses from other institutions outside of the LVAIC consortium will not be calculated into your GPA, although the credits may be accepted.
Since a B is worth 3.0 grade points, if you receive a B in a four-credit course, you have a total of 12 grade points (3.0 grade point X four-credits = 12 grade points). Go back to your original table of grades, and add a column for grade points.
| Course |
Credits |
Anticipated Grade |
Grade Points |
| EN 103 |
3 |
A- |
3 X 3.7 = 11.1 |
| BI 242 |
4 |
B |
4 X 3.0 = 12.0 |
| PS 109 |
3 |
A |
3 X 4.0 = 12.0 |
| SP 101 |
3 |
C+ |
3 X 2.3 = 6.9 |
| MG 201 |
3 |
A- |
3 X 3.7 = 11.1 |
PE 100 |
1 |
Pass |
Pass-Fail Not Calculated |
Third, determine your total number of credits (excluding any pass-fail courses, audited courses, or non-LVAIC transfer courses), as well as your total grade points.
| Course |
Credits |
Anticipated Grade |
Grade Points |
| EN 103 |
3 |
A- |
11.1 |
| BI 242 |
4 |
B |
12.0 |
| PS 109 |
3 |
A |
12.0 |
| SP 101 |
3 |
C+ |
6.9 |
| MG 201 |
3 |
A- |
11.1 |
PE 100 |
1 |
Pass |
Pass-Fail Not Calculated |
| TOTAL |
16 |
|
53.1 |
Fourth, divide the total grade points by the total credits to determine your Grade Point Average. In the example provided above, 53.1 / 16 = 3.319 (rounded up). So, if this student were correct about the anticipated grades inserted into his/her list, then 3.319 would ultimately be the final Term GPA.
While your list of courses may be longer if you are attempting to determine your Cumulative GPA or the GPA for courses in your major, the formula will remain the same.
Suggestion: If your cumulative GPA does not seem impressive enough on your resume, your GPA in major courses could prove more helpful. For more information about how to insert your GPA into your resume, please contact the Director of Career Services.
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