Hi,

I don't know exactly how to convert my European GPA into American GPA - I graduated with an average of 17 out of 20, ranking in the 1st position of my class. So, to convert it to the American scale, should I assume the proportional value - 3,4 - or should I assume the american GPA based on a Bell curve, and consequently my GPA should be converted to a 4.0 (meaning top position of class...)?

Your thoughts are really appreciated...

You might want to check out the student section of www.wes.org. They will be able to help you!

Best of luck.

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here is how i would do it

17/20 = 85%

4*.85 = 3.4

so your american gpa is a 3.4

ross is way, way off in terms of converting grades to the 4.0 scale.

Most schools prefer to see the raw grades if you weren't graded on the 4.0 scale, rather than a conversion. Many also ask for a class rank.

But if you really are interested in conversion World Education Service is probably the best resource.

FF

why is it off?  what's wrong with my logic?

Contact the schools- 9 out of 10 times schools do not want you trying to convert grades on their own.  They each have a comparison list that compares different grading structures across countries so they know what one set of grades means versus another set.  If you don't ask them and try to do it yourself without guidance, you will most likely do something wrong.  I certainly wouldn't rely on somebody's calculation from  a message board.

The key point is that the 4.0 scale is based on broad letter grades, rather than quantitative grades. quant versus letter grades do not convert smoothly from one to the other (in either direction).

Assuming a forced curve where 20% of the class received an A, a student who consistently performed at the 80th percentile would have a GPA of 4.0, whereas a brilliant student who topped every class, but struggled in just one class in their entire degree might only have a GPA of 3.95. A numerical based system would produce very different results for these two students.

FF

great point, didn't think about it from that perspective