2) Unweighted is the average of the grades you got, weighted is when you change a B to an A because it was a harder class and then average in the A instead. Most colleges don’t ask for weighted GPAs.

3) High.

4) No classes. It’s on stuff like basic math, writing, and vocabulary. Stuff you should learn in class, but not specific classes, like science or history.

5) Schools like Harvard expect more than just high grades and test scores and activities -everyone applying has that. You need something different – publication, research, etc.

In general:

National Honor Society – if you have a grade point average of 3.0(? been a long time since HS) you can join this. It recognizes your achievements in school, gives you a special tassel you can wear at graduation, and….not much else really.

Grade point average – GPA assigns a number to your grade, and then averages the sum together. Most schools give 4 for an A, 3 for a B, 2 for a C and 1 for a D. Hence, a 4.0 student is someone who’s gotten nothing but A’s in all classes. An unweighted GPA averages all your classes – from Gym to AP Calc. Weighted will consider a subset of your classes, based on your desired major for college. For instance, if you wanted to go on to be a doctor, your weighted GPA would cover your math and science classes, but not gym. Using your weighted GPA can help show you are serious about your intended major, in case you really didn’t do well in something (like gym) that isn’t core to your studies. So, your weighted GPA should be higher than your unweighted or overall GPA. This doesn’t mean you can blow off gym, though! You really want your grades as high as possible.

ACT and SAT are two standardized tests colleges use for admissions. In both cases, you want as high a score as possible. Some schools will consider both your ACT and SAT, while others will look only at your SAT. There’s no specific classes in high school for these, but there are additional test-prep courses available nationwide, along with books and gadgets all of which promise to raise your score.

Funny story: I did so well on my ACT, that UM wrote to me, asking me to apply. However, I did so poorly on my SAT, UM also wrote to me telling me that I should consider another school.

Both letters arrived at my house the same day, about a month after I had already been accepted.

*the national honor society is an organization that recognizes students who have “demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.” the national honor society is for students in grades 10-12, but the national junior honor society is for students in grades 9-12. I’m not sure if your school has its own chapter but if it does your school’s chapter selects the students based on the criteria. you have to have at least a B average to be considered. Your school may have higher standards, check that out. so anyways, there’s really nothing you can do to get inducted except to be a model student and exhibit the traits of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. for national junior honor society (njhs) citizenship is an additional criteria looked at. so yeah, your school chapter selects the individuals that are inducted.

*a weighted GPA is a totally different scale used for grading. it ranges from 0 to 5.0. 0 is an F. 1.0 is a D. 3.0 is a C. 4.0 is a B. and a 5.0 is an A. just a side note, there is no 2.0. it is used for harder classes such as advanced placement or a school might use them for honors classes. schools might also use a 0-4.6 scale for honors classes. 0 is an F. 1 is a D. 2.1 is a C. 3.5 is a B. and 4.6 is an A.

an unweighted GPA is your normal 0-4.0 scale used for regular classes.

*you definitely want a high ACT score

* the SAT may be required by a college for admission to that college

some colleges require the ACT

some don’t require either test

*i have no clue what those colleges look for in their students but you could check out their websites for help with that or talk to your school guidance counselor. they might be able to get in contact with someone at those colleges to find out what they look for in a student.