1. What is GPA?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance. At Brown University, it's calculated on a 4.0 scale where letter grades are converted to grade points.

2. How GPA is Calculated at Brown

The GPA is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• Grade Points - Numerical value assigned to each letter grade (A=4.0, A-=3.7, etc.)
• Credits - The credit weight of each course (typically 1 credit at Brown)

Explanation: Each course's grade points are multiplied by its credit value, summed across all courses, then divided by total credits attempted.

3. Importance of GPA

Details: GPA is crucial for academic standing, honors consideration, graduate school applications, and some employment opportunities. Brown's Open Curriculum means GPA interpretation may differ from other institutions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Add all your courses with their corresponding grades and credit values. You can add multiple courses using the "Add Course" button. Brown typically uses 1 credit per course, but check your specific courses.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does Brown have grade inflation?
A: Brown is known for its more relaxed grading compared to peer institutions, with about 70% of grades being A's or B's.

Q2: How does S/NC affect GPA?
A: Courses taken Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) don't factor into GPA calculations at Brown.

Q3: What's a good GPA at Brown?
A: While context matters, generally 3.7+ is considered strong, 3.3-3.6 is average, and below 3.0 may raise concerns.

Q4: How often should I calculate my GPA?
A: It's good practice to calculate after each semester to track your academic progress.

Q5: Does Brown use +/- grades?
A: Yes, Brown uses A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F grading with corresponding grade points.