Convince me it doesn't matter?

<p>During this summer, I had the opportunity to take some online courses to raise my gpa from a 3.86 to a 3.88. However, I felt that the money and time spent wouldn't be worth it. Now, I know 0.02 isn't really much of a difference but I plan to apply to competitive schools like Berkeley, UCLA, and John Hopkins (in a competitive major too) and my 3.86 gpa is not within the average gpa range at those schools (I think it's around the 3.9 range). So although a 0.02 isn't a big difference, I kind of regret not doing it because it does bring my below average gpa (at those schools) closer to the average. And besides, it's not like I used the time for something else because in all honesty, I just played video games or slept. Can anyone convince me not to regret my decision?</p>

<p>It’s not the .02 that matters, it is not doing something productive with your time, be it additional coursework that would be beneficial for your transcripts or developing an EC that you have some accomplishment in.</p>

<p>3.86 vs. 3.88 doesn’t matter.</p>

<p>If you don’t get into those schools, it won’t be because of the 0.02 GPA difference.</p>

<p>Let’s say you stay at 3.86 GPA by the time of admissions. The schools accept you will also accept kids w/less than 3.86 and will also reject some with above 3.86.</p>

<p>The schools that reject you will also accept some w/less than 3.86 and will also reject some with above 3.86.</p>

<p>Savvy? Read post #3 again. If you can’t understand it, you’ve got bigger problems. Good luck, though</p>

<p>No worries at all… my kid got into U Chicago and Swarthmore with a 3.75 and no hook last year. I don’t think they notice much once you get over a 3.7 – it is the rest of the application that really makes a difference. GPA is so subjective anyway, and I think colleges know that.</p>