<p>What would be a good UW GPA for the top 15 schools/ivies (Particularly HYPSM)? I know it depends on the app, but what do you guys think would be solid enoug that it wouldn't hurt? I mean, I don't know if it's that big of a deal, I've heard people talk about 3.7s like they were burdens and 3.8s as being okay... Is the extra .1 or .2 really a noticeable difference to these adcoms?</p>
<p>3.8+ is probably best if you are an average applicant otherwise (not URM, legacy, or someone with unique/international EC's). It also depends on the difficulty of your courses. In general, a difference of 0.1 may not be a big deal. They generally read applications holistically, so one thing won't be enough to keep you out. </p>
<p>Still, a majority of strong candidates to Ivy league and equivalent colleges have very strong GPA's, as this is the highest weighted factor used by colleges to make decisions.</p>
<p>Most people at the Ivies had 3.9+ in HS unless they attended elite prep schools or tough feeder/magnet schools. A 3.8 is low-ish, and below that is uncommon.</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college%5DNash%5B/url">http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college]Nash[/url</a>]</p>
<p>nastynash... really? cuz my sister had a 3.4 and she got into stanford free scholarship and everything...</p>
<p>I wouldn't listen to some of these people....GPA is very subjective, they look at your courses, and the high school you come from. I'm sure some get accepted with a 3.2, while others might be rejected with a 4.2. It is all subjective and there is no way to gauge it, so don't try too.</p>
<p>laxgirl - That's why I qualified my statement. I should have added more qualifications, though, so thank you for calling me out. Also, if you don't mind my prying, did your sister fit into one of the below categories?</p>
<p>Factors that can allow you to have a sub-3.7 GPA and still get into top schools:
1) Legacy
2) Recruited Athlete
3) URM
4) Come from magnet/feeder/prep</p>
<p>I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones from the top of my head. And of course, there will always be outliers who get in despite not fitting the profile of a school at all.</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college%5DNash%5B/url">http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college]Nash[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Nash,
Would a decently high rank (top 5% at least) make up for a slightly low gpa (3.78 heh)? This is a bit obsessive, but do colleges look at the nearest tenth or hundredth when considering gpa? haha </p>
<p>Also, I have taken a pretty rigorous schedule (12 APs). I'm sure that will make a difference, but I'm not sure how much... Thanks.</p>
<p>How does a 3.8 and a 4.0 compare on a 100 point scale?</p>
<p>Again, Nash, you're wrong. You missed another factor that allows sub-3.7s to be admitted to ivy leagues and other top colleges: Extracurriculars and exceptional essays.</p>
<p>I had a 2.8 UW GPA, 3.2 weighted, and I was admitted to my top choice ivy league school. Eat your heart out, academic automatons! I wasn't an athletic recruit, legacy, or a URM.</p>
<p>Then again, my ECs were pretty darn unique/good.</p>
<p>When I read A is for admission I truly became convinced GPA IS NOT A HUGE FACTOR on decisision if its good 3.6+ UW and with a tough courseload.</p>
<p>They factor in YOUR PASSION. That will be huge, I mean that is the biggest thing they value. If your recommendations tell them you contribute interesting ideas, thoughts, and insightful comments and your application shows you love learning and are not grade obssessed because that CAN work AGAINST you. </p>
<p>A good test score, extremely good show of interest in learning, and contributing/participating to discussion, good grades (A- or better average) and ECs that show you persue your interest will put you through the roof. </p>
<p>The book states how GPA is important but if you teacher recommendation says something like "overly concerned with grade" you are almost guaranteed a rejection. They don't want people who are obssessed with the grade but people who love learning.</p>
<p>The book is from a person who worked in the Ivy admissions so I definitely believe it more than anyone who says a 3.7 will automatically disqualify you. What will automatically disqualify you is scores below 700 on exams because then your chances will become super slim. </p>
<p>Good tests scores are more important than stellar grades. A 800 Verbal, 790 math will look better than a 4.0UW and 710 Verbal, 740 math.</p>
<p>Solid GPA:</p>
<p>URM/other similar factors: 3.65+
Non-URM: 3.75+</p>
<p>I agree with Fangdangoya. It depends on the classes you're taking, your extracurriculars, essays, recommendations, and such. It is all subjective. Try your best and don't worry too much about dissecting the admissions people's brains and thoughts.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the high school as a whole is also important. If your school is well known at college offices, then they can compare you to previous applicants/acceptances and their GPAs. </p>
<p>I was actually wondering about this- how much might adcoms look at previous acceptees? I can see them sitting there goign...well he looks good, but remember Joe Smith last year? Look, they took the same course, and Joe got an A, while this kid got an A-....etc etc.</p>