Understanding GPA at Penn
Penn uses a 4.0 scale to calculate GPA. Every course you take contributes to your GPA, weighted by the number of credit units the course carries. Your GPA is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of attempted credit units with grades that factor into GPA.
UPenn does not round GPAs. A 3.67 is just that—no inflation to 3.7.
Penn’s Grade Scale
Here’s how letter grades translate into grade points at Penn:
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Non-GPA-Impacting Grades
- P (Pass): For pass/fail courses, not factored into GPA.
- NR (No Report): Grade hasn’t been submitted yet.
- I (Incomplete): Must be resolved; otherwise may turn into an F.
- W (Withdrawn): No GPA impact, but visible on transcript.
GPA Formula at Penn
To calculate your GPA:
GPA = Total Grade Points Earned ÷ Total Credit Units Attempted
For example, if you took four 1.0 credit courses and received an A (4.0), A− (3.7), B+ (3.3), and B (3.0), your GPA would be:
GPA = (4.0 + 3.7 + 3.3 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.5
School- or Program-Specific Grading Policies
Penn doesn’t have wildly different GPA calculations across schools, but there are some variations in grading expectations among its undergraduate schools:
| School | Notes on Grading |
|---|---|
| College of Arts and Sciences | Follows the standard 4.0 scale. |
| Wharton School | Heavily curved in some core classes. Competitive environment may lead to tighter grade distributions. |
| School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) | Some professors curve grades; rigorous STEM courses can lead to lower averages. |
| School of Nursing | May have stricter minimum grade requirements for clinical eligibility (e.g., no lower than a C in some courses). |
Always check individual course syllabi—professors may outline their own grading breakdowns, curves, or cutoffs.
Grade Curves and Academic Culture
UPenn doesn’t enforce a university-wide grading curve, but many departments and instructors—especially in Wharton and Engineering—curve grades informally. Some classes may see the average hover around a B+, especially in large intro-level courses.
Final Notes on GPA at Penn
- No GPA rounding: Your GPA is reported exactly as calculated.
- Transcript transparency: All course grades, including failed or withdrawn courses, appear on your transcript.
- Repeated courses: If you retake a class, both grades appear on your transcript, but only the most recent grade is factored into your GPA.