Class of 2017’s GPA Discussed

The Class of 2017 has a relatively high average grade point average (GPA); however, the College Counseling Office (CCO) maintains that there is more to college admissions than numbers.

With an average GPA of 9.254, the upper class may be considered ‘academically stronger’ by some students. And these students may assume that college admissions will be more competitive for that class; however, the CCO emphasizes that colleges look at applicants individually and that their GPAs are only one of many factors considered in the process. According to Director of College Counseling, Betsy Dolan, “GPAs are factored into the context of a student’s background and the context speaks louder than just a GPA.”

CCO is careful to give context for a student’s GPA and to ensure that colleges understand the many aspects of a student’s background, rather than simply their grades and scores, as these numbers are only part of an applicant’s story.

In addition, CCO recognizes that Exeter’s academics are challenging and rigorous. Exeter chooses not to weight or inflate GPAs in any way, or report academic rankings within classes. Colleges do not receive average GPAs; in fact, the only direct effect of the upper class’s high average GPA will be on who receives Early Cum Laude, according to Dolan.

“I wish we could all be supportive of each other, though, because this sensitivity around grades is not worth it, and ten years from now it’s not really going to matter if you get an 11 or not.”

“It’s easy to say it’s just GPA and scores, but it’s a lot more than that,” Dolan said.  She believes that these numbers are not what defines a student, but rather the individual qualities and personal accomplishments that make them a unique applicant. With this in mind, CCO places greater value on the individual student over just the numbers, while recognizing that credentials such as rigor of coursework, GPA and scores are still important. Dolan went on to explain that “how a student impacts ‘others’ or a community matters.”

The high average GPA of the upper class may be partially attributed to being the first class to have pass/fail grades during prep fall. Prep fall is notoriously a time when students have earned some of their lowest ,grades which can influence their GPAs for the remainder of their Exeter careers. Without prep fall grades, the upper class had an advantage in their adjustment to the rigorous Exeter workload before entering into regular graded classes.

Benefits of a more academically focused class have been experienced around the Harkness table. Many uppers have said that having classmates they considered more engaged and driven have led to thought-provoking discussions in English and history classes. 

Upper Carissa Chen admitted that her classes with uppers have been more stressful than ones with seniors. However, Chen added that many of her fellow uppers “are just genuinely passionate about their subjects and academics and thus work really hard.”

Upper Charlie Dubiel agreed with Chen that their classmates are dedicated students who make for better, but harder, classes. “I have been exposed to a lot of really intelligent people, one of the reasons I decided to come to Exeter a few years ago,” said Dubiel. “It’s important to realize that [over the] long term, we are here for more than academics.”

Many uppers believed that their class’ average GPA was actually higher than a 9.25. For many, hearing the actually number was a relief. Upper Alec Howe asked to see proof that the GPA was only a 9.25. He admitted that he had heard rumors of it being a 9.6 and even a 9.8, a number that caused stress for both him and his friends.

Howe has seen the pressure of grades affect his friends in several ways. Some, he said, overwork themselves to a point where it begins to take a toll on their social lives. Others said they work less because they are disheartened by what they see to be an unattainable average. “Some of the kids in my dorm have realized that it is unlikely that they will be able to reach above the average, so this occasionally contributed to self doubt in regard to college prospects,” said Howe.

Upper Jesús Rivera has also seen several of his friends negatively affected by the stress of college and GPAs. He explained how all Exonians “want to be the best and go to the best schools,” and that many of his friends fear they won’t get into the school of their choice because of the competition from other Exonians. “I’ve seen kids cry and yell because they’re so afraid that their GPA isn’t good enough,” said Rivera. “It’s rough.”

According to upper Hillary Aristotle, college counselors are “doing a good job of having [students] stress about the right things.” She said that her counselor has helped her make decisions based on what she wants in a college because “at the end of the day, the college process is about us and what we want.”

Upper Daniela Nemirovsky said that her college counselor brought up the high class average, but that it wasn’t stressed “as a huge impediment to college admissions.” Nemirovsky explained how her grade’s achievements push her to do her personal best and realize that she “can’t change how others are doing.” However, she added that “in the current admissions environment, it’s difficult not to feel stress about grades.”

Upper Joanna Papadakis, who said she holds a high GPA, admitted that she pressures herself to get high grades to the point that she questions “whether it’s worth it.”

She recalled telling a friend her GPA. “After hearing my grades she seemed mad, like it was a bad thing that I had done well, so I don’t tell people my grades anymore,” said Papadakis. “I wish we could all be supportive of each other, though, because this sensitivity around grades is not worth it, and ten years from now it’s not really going to matter if you get an 11 or not.”