<p>Has anyone been accepted with anything under a 3.7 UW? Possibly a 3.6 or a 3.5?</p>
<p>I have GREAT ECs (published non-fiction) , a 34 on the ACT, and I am in the top 10%. With all else equal, will a 3.6 UW GPA be a disqualifier?</p>
<p>What is the progression of the GPA-- frosh to junior year? were there extenuating circumstances?</p>
<p>Nothing in-of-itslef it a disqualifying point other than taking a less the rigorous curriculum. But anything outside of norms has to be justified-- or balanced with other things-- an olympic gold medal or performing at Carnegie hall for example. Perhaps being a published author could be enough.</p>
<p>I mean, there’s always a few kids from a couple crazy-grade-deflating schools who will be ranked #1 with a 3.7 or less UW, so it’s possible. It’s hard to know just from your rank whether that describes your school, or whether you’re in the top 10% because there simply isn’t much competition. If it’s deflationary, you’re probably fine. If your grades are mediocre (for an Ivy) at a mediocre or poor school, see above.</p>
<p>When you say “published non-fiction” do you mean by one of the six large publishing houses and it’s commercially successful? Or do you mean some boutique publisher or self published? Big difference btn the two.</p>
<p>All I want to say - I wish you all the best of luck.
I myself come from a school whose grading policies are extremely harsh. I have a predicted 44/45 on the IB, but my GPA is 3.8 unweighted, which is not high for Harvard. Still, I made it.
If your school truly is harsh, make sure your counselor informs Harvard and don’t lose hope, regardless of what people say.
Better be a valedictorian from a tough school with a 3.75 UW GPA than a valedictorian from an easy school with a 4.3UW GPA, sharing that score with 20% of your graduating class. ;)</p>