Stanford GPA Calculator
Calculate your cumulative GPA using Stanford University 4.3 grading scale and letter grade conversion
Stanford GPA Calculator
Enter Your Course Grades and Units:
What is Stanford GPA?
The Stanford GPA is a cumulative measure of academic performance calculated on a 4.3 scale, which distinguishes Stanford from most universities using 4.0 scales. This unique scale recognizes exceptional achievement by allowing an A+ grade worth 4.3 grade points, above the standard 4.0 maximum found at Harvard, Yale, and most other institutions.
Stanford's grading system uses 13 letter grades with precise values: A+ (4.3), A (4.0), A− (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B− (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C− (1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), D− (0.7), and NP (0.0). Your cumulative GPA is calculated by multiplying each grade's points by course units, then dividing total grade points by total units. Critically, CR (Credit), NC (No Credit), S (Satisfactory), and W (Withdraw) grades do not affect GPA calculations, allowing flexible course exploration.
Admitted Stanford undergraduates average approximately 4.17 GPA, reflecting exceptional academic standards. The 4.3 scale with A+ recognition emphasizes Stanford's rigorous academic environment. Stanford does not calculate or publish class rankings, but GPA is an important metric for graduate school applications, scholarships, and professional opportunities.
Stanford's GPA system treats all letter-graded courses equally—advanced courses receive the same grade point values as introductory courses, ensuring consistency across academic levels. NP (Not Passed) is a failing grade that negatively impacts GPA, unlike CR/NC/S/W which are neutral.
Stanford Grading Formulae
Stanford GPA Formula
GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Course Units) ÷ Sum of Units
Cumulative GPA on 4.3 scale (excluding CR, NC, S, W)
Stanford Grade Point Scale (4.3)
Letter Grade to Grade Points Conversion
Course Grade Points Calculation
Course Grade Points = Grade Point Value × Course Units
Example: A+ (4.3) in 4-unit course = 17.2 grade points
How This Calculator Works
This Stanford GPA Calculator implements Stanford University's official 4.3 grading methodology to convert letter grades to grade points and calculate your cumulative GPA.
Calculation Steps
- Input Courses: Enter grade (A+ through D−, or NP) and units (typically 2-5) for each course. Exclude CR, NC, S, W courses.
- Convert Grades: Letter grades automatically convert to Stanford grade points (A+=4.3, A=4.0, A−=3.7, etc.).
- Calculate Points: Multiplies grade points by course units for each course.
- Sum and Divide: Adds all grade points, divides by total units to get cumulative GPA.
- Display Result: Shows GPA on 4.3 scale and interpretation.
Important: This calculator uses Stanford's official 4.3 scale methodology. Your GPA appears on official Stanford transcripts and is used for graduate school applications.
Uses of Stanford GPA
Graduate & Professional School Admissions: Graduate programs (medical, law, business, PhD) use Stanford GPA in admission decisions. Medical school averages 3.95+, law school 3.85+, business school 3.75+. GPA is critical for competitive admissions to top programs.
Scholarships & Fellowship Opportunities: Scholarships, fellowships, and honors opportunities at Stanford and external institutions consider GPA. Strong GPA (3.9+) opens access to restricted funding and prestigious programs.
Employment and Internship Selection: Employers in consulting, tech, finance, and other competitive fields use GPA in hiring decisions. Many internships require 3.5+ GPA. Strong GPA demonstrates academic rigor and commitment.
Academic Progress & Personal Tracking: Students use GPA to monitor academic standing, set improvement goals, and understand positioning for opportunities. GPA serves as tangible metric of academic achievement.
How to Use This Calculator
Follow these steps to calculate your Stanford GPA:
Step 1: Add Your Courses
Click "Add Course" to start entering your courses. Do not include CR, NC, S, W courses.
Step 2: Enter Grade & Units
For each course, select the letter grade (A+, A, A−, etc.) and enter course units (typically 2-5).
Step 3: Add More Courses
Click "Add Course" to add additional courses. Repeat until you've entered all letter-graded courses.
Step 4: Calculate & Review
Click "Calculate GPA." Your cumulative Stanford GPA displays with total units and achievement interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Stanford use 4.3 scale?
Stanford's 4.3 scale recognizes A+ as exceptional performance, distinguishing outstanding from excellent work, reflecting Stanford's academic rigor.
Can I get a GPA above 4.3?
No. 4.3 (all A+ grades) is the maximum possible GPA on Stanford's 4.3 scale. It's rare but achievable with exceptional performance.
Should I include CR/NC courses?
No. Credit (CR), No Credit (NC), Satisfactory (S), and Withdraw (W) courses do not count toward GPA. Exclude them from calculations.
What's the difference between A+ and A?
A+ equals 4.3 grade points (exceptional), while A equals 4.0 (excellent). This 0.3 distinction is unique to Stanford's 4.3 scale.
Does NP (Not Passed) hurt GPA?
Yes, NP is a failing grade (0.0) that negatively impacts GPA. Unlike CR/NC/S/W which are neutral, NP damages your GPA calculation.
Official Sources & References
This calculator uses methodology from official Stanford University sources:
-
How to Calculate Your GPA
Official Stanford GPA Calculation Guide -
General University Grading System
Stanford Bulletin Grading Policies -
Stanford University Official Website
Stanford Home
About the Author
This calculator was developed by Adam, an educational technology specialist dedicated to creating accurate, accessible tools for students and academic advisors worldwide.
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