Understanding the GPA System at Case Western Reserve University
At Case Western Reserve University—often shortened to Case Western or CWRU—your GPA is more than just a number. It reflects your academic journey, influences your eligibility for honors, and plays a role in graduate school or job applications. Let’s break down exactly how it works.
What GPA Scale Does CWRU Use?
Case Western uses the standard 4.0 GPA scale, where each letter grade corresponds to a specific grade point. This system is consistent across most undergraduate and graduate programs unless a specific school or department states otherwise.
CWRU Grade Scale and GPA Points
Here’s the typical breakdown of letter grades and their GPA values:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| F | 0.0 |
Some courses may use Pass/No Pass (P/NP) or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading, particularly in seminars, research, or physical education. These grades don’t factor into your GPA but do appear on your transcript.
How GPA is Calculated
To calculate your GPA at Case Western:
- Multiply the GPA value of each grade by the number of credit hours for the course.
- Add up all those grade points.
- Divide by the total number of credit hours attempted (excluding pass/fail or S/U courses).
Example:
You took four classes:
- A in a 3-credit course → 3 × 4.0 = 12.0
- B+ in a 4-credit course → 4 × 3.3 = 13.2
- C in a 3-credit course → 3 × 2.0 = 6.0
- A− in a 2-credit course → 2 × 3.7 = 7.4
Total Grade Points = 38.6
Total Credits = 12
GPA = 38.6 ÷ 12 = 3.22
School-Specific Policies
Most undergraduate grading at CWRU follows the standard scale. However, here are a few key notes:
- Engineering and Nursing Programs: Often require higher minimum grades (like a C or better) in core courses.
- Law and Medical Schools: Have different grading systems. For example, the School of Medicine uses a competency-based system, not traditional letter grades.
- Graduate Programs: May include additional notations like “PR” (in progress), and may not tolerate grades below a B.
You should always double-check with your specific department or school for GPA policies that might differ.
GPA and Academic Standing
Your GPA at CWRU determines your:
- Eligibility for Honors (Dean’s List typically requires a semester GPA of 3.5+ with 12+ graded hours)
- Academic probation or dismissal (cumulative GPA below 2.0 may trigger action)
- Graduation honors:
- Cum Laude: 3.5–3.699
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.7–3.899
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9–4.0