General question about GPA from a UK student

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences in grading systems between the UK and the US, specifically focusing on the implications for GPA in the context of applying for graduate school and research opportunities in the US.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a 3.0 GPA in the US is perceived as not particularly great, while they equate it to a 75% average in the UK, which they consider a decent A grade.
  • Another participant suggests that converting UK grades to US grades is complex, indicating that a first class degree (70% average) in the UK should correspond to an A or a 4.0 GPA in the US.
  • Some participants argue that it is easier or more common to achieve higher grades in the US compared to the UK, attributing this to the normalization of grades.
  • A participant expresses relief at not reporting a 3.0 GPA on their application, having initially considered it based on their UK average mark.
  • One participant provides information about the REU program, noting that most programs require US citizenship or permanent resident status, which may affect the applicant's chances.
  • Another participant mentions finding a position for an international student but chooses not to disclose the details to avoid competition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ease of obtaining high grades in the US versus the UK, and there is no consensus on the exact equivalence of grading systems. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these differences for international students.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexities of grade normalization and the varying standards of grading between the two countries, but do not resolve the specifics of these differences.

The thinker
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Hi,

I'm looking at the U.S for grad school and I've been reading talk about grade point average's, more specifically that around 3.0 is not considered particularly great.

I assume that a 3.0 GPA means a 75% average, over here 75% is decent A grade. A GPA of 3.5 (which I've read is good) would be ~88%, which is fantastic!

I'm just curious about what the difference is and why people need to score so much higher in the states? is it because you guys are allowed to take all sorts of (potentially easier) courses along with your major?
 
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It's not simple to convert from UK grade to US grades. You could look at it the other way around: over here, a first class degree (70% average) is the highest degree you can get, so should correspond to an A in the US, or a GPA of 4.0.

The fact is that it is way easier (or maybe one should say "more common") to obtain 100% grades in the US than it is in the UK. It's all to do with normalisation of grades.
 
cristo said:
It's not simple to convert from UK grade to US grades. You could look at it the other way around: over here, a first class degree (70% average) is the highest degree you can get, so should correspond to an A in the US, or a GPA of 4.0.

The fact is that it is way easier (or maybe one should say "more common") to obtain 100% grades in the US than it is in the UK. It's all to do with normalisation of grades.

I see! Thank you very much!

I am filling in my application for an REU in the US at the moment and was going to put down 3.0 for my GPA because my average mark is 75%. I'm glad I didn't!
 
Just to give you a heads up, the REU program is through the US government, and consequently most (if not all) of the programs require US citizenship or permanent resident status. Not to discourage you, but look closely at the requirements of any REU programs you're applying to.
 
Thanks for the heads up!

I have found one lone position at a single university for an international student. I'm not going to say where though because I don't want any more competition! haha
 

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