Coastal Gpa Calculator

The "Coastal GPA" is a common term for the specific GPA calculation method used by the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems for admissions. It focuses on approved "A-G" courses taken during the 10th and 11th grades and gives extra weight to honors-level classes. This calculator helps you estimate your weighted and capped Coastal GPA to see where you stand.

Coastal GPA Calculator

Enter the number of semester grades from your 10th and 11th grade A-G courses.

Standard A-G Courses

Honors, AP, IB Courses

Note: 'D' and 'F' grades in honors courses do not receive extra weight. Please add them to the standard courses section.

function calculateCoastalGPA() { var regularA = parseInt(document.getElementById('regularA').value) || 0; var regularB = parseInt(document.getElementById('regularB').value) || 0; var regularC = parseInt(document.getElementById('regularC').value) || 0; var regularD = parseInt(document.getElementById('regularD').value) || 0; var regularF = parseInt(document.getElementById('regularF').value) || 0; var honorsA = parseInt(document.getElementById('honorsA').value) || 0; var honorsB = parseInt(document.getElementById('honorsB').value) || 0; var honorsC = parseInt(document.getElementById('honorsC').value) || 0; if (regularA < 0 || regularB < 0 || regularC < 0 || regularD < 0 || regularF < 0 || honorsA < 0 || honorsB < 0 || honorsC < 0) { document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = '

Error

Please enter positive numbers only.'; document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block'; return; } var totalCourses = regularA + regularB + regularC + regularD + regularF + honorsA + honorsB + honorsC; if (totalCourses === 0) { document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = '

No Courses Entered

Please enter the number of grades you have received.'; document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block'; return; } var basePoints = (regularA * 4) + (regularB * 3) + (regularC * 2) + (regularD * 1) + (regularF * 0) + (honorsA * 4) + (honorsB * 3) + (honorsC * 2); var honorsBonusPoints = (honorsA * 1) + (honorsB * 1) + (honorsC * 1); var cappedHonorsBonusPoints = Math.min(honorsBonusPoints, 8); var totalUncappedPoints = basePoints + honorsBonusPoints; var totalCappedPoints = basePoints + cappedHonorsBonusPoints; var uncappedGPA = totalUncappedPoints / totalCourses; var cappedGPA = totalCappedPoints / totalCourses; var resultHTML = '

Your Coastal GPA Results

' + 'Official (Capped) Weighted GPA: ' + cappedGPA.toFixed(2) + '' + 'Uncapped Weighted GPA: ' + uncappedGPA.toFixed(2) + " + '

---

' + 'Total A-G Semester Courses: ' + totalCourses + " + 'Total Grade Points (Capped): ' + totalCappedPoints + " + 'Honors Bonus Points Applied: ' + cappedHonorsBonusPoints + ' (out of ' + honorsBonusPoints + ' possible)'; document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = resultHTML; document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block'; }

How to Calculate Your Coastal GPA

The UC/CSU systems use a specific formula to create a level playing field for applicants from different high schools. Here is the breakdown of the calculation:

1. Identify A-G Courses: Only grades from approved A-G courses taken in 10th and 11th grade (including the summers after 9th, 10th, and 11th grade) are used.
2. Assign Grade Points: Each semester grade is assigned a point value: A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, F = 0 points.
3. Add Honors Weighting: For approved UC-designated Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, an extra point is added for grades of A, B, or C. So, an A is worth 5 points, a B is 4, and a C is 3.
4. Apply the Honors Cap: The UC system caps the number of extra honors points you can receive. You can only use a maximum of 8 extra points, which is equivalent to 8 semesters (or 4 full-year courses) of weighted classes. Our calculator shows you both the official "capped" GPA and your "uncapped" GPA.
5. Calculate the Final GPA: The total (capped) grade points are divided by the total number of A-G semester courses.

Example Calculation

Let's say a student in 10th and 11th grade earned the following semester grades in A-G courses:

• Standard Courses: 4 A's, 6 B's, 2 C's (Total: 12 courses)
• AP/Honors Courses: 5 A's, 3 B's (Total: 8 courses)

1. Calculate Base Points:

• Standard: (4 A's * 4) + (6 B's * 3) + (2 C's * 2) = 16 + 18 + 4 = 38 points
• Honors: (5 A's * 4) + (3 B's * 3) = 20 + 9 = 29 points
• Total Base Points: 38 + 29 = 67 points

2. Calculate Honors Bonus Points:

• (5 A's * 1) + (3 B's * 1) = 5 + 3 = 8 bonus points

3. Apply the Cap:

• The student has 8 bonus points. The cap is 8. So, all 8 points are used. Capped Bonus = 8.

4. Calculate Final GPA:

• Total Capped Points: 67 (Base) + 8 (Capped Bonus) = 75 points
• Total Courses: 12 (Standard) + 8 (Honors) = 20 courses
• Final Coastal GPA: 75 / 20 = 3.75

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which courses count towards the Coastal GPA?

Only courses from the "A-G" subject list taken during your sophomore (10th) and junior (11th) years are included in the GPA calculation. This includes courses taken during the summers immediately following 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Your high school's approved A-G course list can be found on the UC Doorways website.

What is the "A-G" course list?

The A-G list represents the 15 year-long high school courses that the UC and CSU systems require for admission. They are categorized into seven subject areas: (a) History/Social Science, (b) English, (c) Mathematics, (d) Laboratory Science, (e) Language other than English, (f) Visual and Performing Arts, and (g) College-Preparatory Elective.

Do 9th or 12th-grade courses count?

For the GPA calculation itself, no. The Coastal GPA specifically uses 10th and 11th-grade marks. However, you must still complete all required A-G courses with passing grades (C or better) in 9th and 12th grade to be eligible for admission.

Why is my capped GPA the most important?

The capped, weighted GPA is the primary number that UC and CSU admissions officers will see and use for eligibility and initial evaluation. While the uncapped GPA can show the rigor of your coursework, the capped GPA is the official metric used in their review process.