3.7 GPA

Applying to College
1

I’m currently a sophomore at a private high school, regarded as the best/second best in my Midwestern state. Colleges do typically know about my school. The school is known for being quite rigorous/difficult- often, no one graduates with a 4.0. My concern is this: if I’m aiming for, say, Stanford, ignoring extra-cirriculars and awards, will a 3.7 GPA hurt me? Is there a really a substantial difference between a 3.74 and 3.76? Looking at Stanford’s data, only around 4%of the class has a GPA between 3.54-3.74, while 94% has a 3.75+. I know it’s all quite subjective, but assuming I continue with the same GPA, and am taking a challenging schedule, what are my odds? What about Harvard and the other Ivies?

2

Talk to your eminently qualified school Guidance Counselor who should have data on where students with your stats were accepted.

3

A few comments…

  1. You are a sophomore so IMO it is too early to be “aiming” for any particular school, especially such a hyper-competitive one. As a sophomore you should do your best in the most rigorous courses you can handle, get involved in things you love, study for standardized tests when the time comes and then see where things fall out.

  2. Agree with talking to your guidance counselor when the time comes as recommended above. If you are in a well regarded private HS he/she should be able to provide excellent advice. In addition if your HS has Naviance you will probably get access to that next year and that is a useful tool for seeing what academic stats from your HS got into different colleges.

  3. Every transcript is sent along with a school profile which details things like levels of courses, average GPA in the school etc. Your transcript will be reviewed in the context of your HS grading system.

  4. There is no meaningful difference between an 3.76 and a 3.74.

  5. Nobody can reasonably chance you at schools that have acceptance rates as low as the Ivies, Stanford etc. Those schools have to turn down many very well qualified applicants.

  6. When the time comes you will have to apply to a range of reach (including Ivy, Stanford etc.), match and safety school taking into consideration any constraints (ex. financial, anything else) that may be placed on your search.

4

Thank you for your thorough response. I know it’s early but I don’t want to tank my chance by not giving it some thought. Thanks again