Why Is Everyone Talking About GPA?

📌What is GPA?

What is GPA? GPA (Grade Point Average) is the average of your grade points across courses. GPA is a benchmark score used to gauge a student's academic ability. When Taiwanese students apply to universities and graduate schools abroad, most convert their grades to a 4.0 or 4.3 GPA scale. But GPA calculation standards vary by country, so how do you convert your school grades?

📌What counts as a high GPA

A higher GPA means stronger academic achievement and more potential, which is why many countries use GPA as one of the key admission thresholds. Take the US, a popular study-abroad destination: most schools calculate GPA out of 4.0, so if you want to apply to top-50 US graduate schools, your GPA should ideally be 3.5 or above to have a better shot at the school you want! The higher your GPA, the better your chances, so managing your grades while you're in school becomes crucial. Don't wait until right before you go abroad to start preparing; by then it would seriously hurt your study-abroad plans. If you've been thinking about studying abroad for a while, keep an eye on your grades from your first year of college to earn a better GPA.

📍How GPA is calculated:

So how is GPA calculated? First convert your school grades into **grade points (Grade Point)**, then use each course's grade points and credits to work out your GPA, as in the table below:

📍GPA formula:

GPA = sum of (course grade points x credits) / total credits

📍GPA conversion example:

📌Can you still study abroad with a low GPA?

Even if your GPA is low and gives you no advantage, you still have a chance to study abroad

As described above, GPA is one of the most important admission thresholds for schools abroad, but you can still give your study-abroad plans a lift against the odds through other materials such as a portfolio, résumé, personal statement and study plan.

This is also the main reason study-abroad agencies exist. A professional study-abroad agency offers a tailored service: applying to your ideal schools, an admission-chance analysis based on your GPA, professional strengthening of your application documents and more. It evaluates each student comprehensively, builds on your strengths and improves your weaknesses, effectively raising your chances of admission!

Besides, there isn't just one route to studying abroad. There are also language schools, conditional admission and pathway programs.