Grading
Do you want to know how to calculate or raise your GPA? The policies outlined below explain the university processes for determining your GPA, repeating and withdrawing from courses and what happens if you’re placed on academic probation.
Calculating your GPA
You can calculate your GPA using the following formula:
GPA = quality points/quality hours
To obtain quality points, you must multiply the credit hours for each course by the numeric value of the grade received in the course (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Then add each value from the individual classes together for total quality points.
Quality hours are the number of credit hours taken that will receive a letter grade. Grades other than A, B, C, D or F don't count.
An overall GPA is a running total of all of the quality points earned each semester divided by the total number of quality hours accumulated.
For more information on calculating your GPA, including an online calculator, visit the University Advising Web site.
Dean’s list
If you are a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 hours of graded courses, and earn a GPA of at least 3.5 for the semester, you are eligible for the Dean’s list. However, if you earn an I (incomplete) or PR (progress) grade for the semester, you will be ineligible for the honor.
Raising your GPA
There are two ways you can raise your overall GPA. While we first recommend studying harder and performing better in future semesters and throughout your college career, you can also repeat any course in which a D or F was earned. If you want to repeat a course, you must complete the Historical Repeat Course Option Form, available at the Student Services Center in room 104 of Founders Hall.
You may also petition to have the first grade removed from your GPA, as well as the credits. If you do not complete the petition, the original course and grade will remain on your transcript.
You may only repeat the course in which you received the unsatisfactory grade once; other attempts will factor into the GPA. We encourage you to consult with your academic advisor before repeating a course.
Consequences of unsatisfactory GPA
If your overall GPA falls below a 2.0, you will be placed on academic warning or probation, or possibly suspended from VCU. Academic warning and probation allow you to continue taking classes, but you may be limited in the number of hours you may take until your overall GPA is raised above a 2.0.
Withdrawing from a class
You may want to withdraw from a course if you experience academic difficulty and receive at least two grades of D or F prior to the withdrawal date, or if you cannot grasp the material, despite speaking with the instructor and seeking assistance in understanding the course work. Not liking the professor, disliking the course or lacking motivation to do course work should not be substantial reasons for withdrawing from a class.
A W (withdrawal) on transcripts is usually preferred instead of an F because it doesn’t affect your GPA and doesn't look as negative on academic records. However, a pattern of Ws may lead to a financial aid penalty for too many withdrawals and may raise questions about your ability to be academically successful. Graduate or professional schools may look unfavorably upon a pattern of withdrawals from key courses.
Before withdrawing, you should speak with your instructor and be certain of your academic standing in the course. Also, check with your academic advisor, health insurance provider and financial aid counselor; if you withdraw from a class, it may hinder your full-time status requirement, which may be required to maintain some health insurance plans or to assure a full financial aid package.
If you choose to withdraw, you must observe the withdrawal deadline. Do not wait until the last minute; unless your instructor has not provided any feedback on your progress prior to the Friday of the eighth week of classes, every effort should be taken to meet the withdrawal deadline.
