How GPA Works at Yale University
If you’re hoping to crunch your GPA at Yale University, you’re in for a bit of a surprise: Yale doesn’t officially calculate GPA—at least not in the way many other schools do.
The university prioritizes narrative evaluations, honors distinctions, and class rankings over a standardized GPA metric. Still, many students (especially those applying to grad school or internships) use an unofficial GPA based on the letter grades and quality point equivalents Yale assigns. Here’s how it typically works.
Unofficial GPA Conversion Scale at Yale
Even though there’s no official GPA on your transcript, Yale assigns letter grades and quality points that can be converted into a GPA. Here’s the typical grade scale students and advisors use to approximate GPA:
| Letter Grade | Quality Points (Unofficial GPA Conversion) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Grades like Pass (P) and Credit/D/Fail (Cr/D/F) do not affect GPA calculations and are not given quality points.
Special Grading Options at Yale
Yale has some unique twists in its grading approach:
- Credit/D/Fail Option: You can take certain courses under this grading mode. If you pass, you earn credit, but it doesn’t count toward your GPA. However, if you get a D or fail, it does get noted.
- Narrative Evaluations: Some professors provide qualitative feedback instead of traditional letter grades, particularly in creative or independent study courses.
- Dean’s List and Distinctions: While GPA isn’t the primary metric, honors are awarded based on high performance across courses (think A-range work in most of your classes).
Departmental or Program-Specific Notes
There’s no significant GPA policy difference across Yale’s undergraduate colleges, but here are a few noteworthy points:
- STEM Programs: Grading tends to be stricter, and curves may vary by department.
- Humanities and Arts: These departments often emphasize papers and long-form assessments, which can lead to higher letter grades on average.
Graduate programs at Yale do use GPA systems more explicitly, particularly at the Yale School of Management and Yale Law School.
How to Calculate Your Unofficial GPA
To calculate your own GPA at Yale:
- Assign point values using the table above.
- Multiply by credit hours per course (usually 1 per class at Yale).
- Sum total points and divide by total credits.
It’s straightforward—but remember, this GPA won’t appear on your transcript unless you’re in a program that requires it.