Understanding Emory’s GPA System
At Emory University, your GPA—or Grade Point Average—is a numerical representation of your academic performance. It’s used to assess your progress, determine honors eligibility, and sometimes even qualify you for scholarships or academic probation.
Emory uses the traditional 4.0 scale, where each letter grade corresponds to a specific number of grade points. The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted (not including courses with Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grades, incompletes, or withdrawals).
Here’s the standard GPA scale used at Emory:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| 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 |
S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), W (Withdrawal), WF (Withdraw Failing), and I (Incomplete) grades are not factored into your GPA.
Special Notes on GPA and Grading at Emory
Pass/Fail and S/U Grading
Certain courses, especially those outside your major, may be taken on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. While this can help reduce GPA pressure, you can’t use this option for major or minor requirements. S/U grades don’t count toward your GPA.
Repeated Courses
If you retake a course, both grades remain on your transcript, but only the most recent grade counts toward your GPA calculation. This policy can help boost your GPA if you improve significantly the second time around.
Incompletes (I)
An Incomplete must be resolved by a specific deadline (usually within one semester). If not completed, it automatically converts to an F, which will then impact your GPA.
College and Department Differences
Most Emory students fall under either Emory College of Arts and Sciences or the Goizueta Business School, and both follow the same GPA scale. However, grading policies and curve tendencies can differ by department or program.
For instance:
- STEM departments (like Chemistry or Math) may have tougher grading curves.
- Business School courses often have grade distribution guidelines to keep averages within a target range.
While the grading scale doesn’t change, class averages and grade distributions can vary significantly across departments.
How to Calculate Your GPA at Emory
Let’s say you took the following 4 classes:
- BIOL 142 (4 credits) – Grade: B+ → 3.3 × 4 = 13.2
- ECON 101 (3 credits) – Grade: A → 4.0 × 3 = 12.0
- HIST 201 (3 credits) – Grade: A− → 3.7 × 3 = 11.1
- MATH 111 (4 credits) – Grade: C → 2.0 × 4 = 8.0
Total Grade Points = 13.2 + 12.0 + 11.1 + 8.0 = 44.3
Total Credit Hours = 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 14
GPA = 44.3 / 14 = 3.16
Final Tips
- Keep track of your GPA with Emory’s Degree Tracker in OPUS (Online Pathway to University Students).
- Talk to an academic advisor if you’re considering repeating a course or taking one S/U.
- GPA isn’t everything—but it does open doors like Phi Beta Kappa, Dean’s List, and honors programs.