<p>When people say the typical "threshold" GPAs to be considered for top colleges is a 3.8, is this mainly for the average high school? What I'm trying to say is, if you have a 3.6/3.5 from a very competitive high school with rigorous courseload and a 2300 sat, could this allow you pass the academic hurdle, to be considered further, even if it's not the "minimum" 3.8?
(ie Penn, Columbia, UChicago, Georgetown)</p>
<p>It’s difficult at best to compare GPAs from different schools. Grading philosophies vary widely,</p>
<p>Your rank in class is a much better indicator. Even if your school does not rank they often provide colleges GPA threshold numbers for top 10%, 10-20%, etc. College admissions officers figure it out. And your high school college counselor would help them do that.</p>
<p>Also Naviance is a very good guide to GPAs of previously admitted students from your school. If your school is a subscriber check it out.</p>
<p>I’m not aware of a typical threshold for admissions to top colleges.</p>
<p>Colleges do not compare students from one high school to another. Instead, they compare you to all other students from YOUR high school who are applying to their college. So, it’s important to know where you stand in the pecking order at your school. Even when a high school does not rank, that does not preclude Admissions from creating a rank-order of applications from each high school. If your high school does not rank, you should ask your GC if you are in the top 5%, top 10%, top 15% of students at your school. The answer, coupled with looking at Naviance, will help you understand how colleges will compare you in the context of your school.</p>
<p>^ I agree about Naviance. Look at that data.</p>