What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is a 3.8 GPA good for top-tier colleges?

Hey folks, just a bit stressed out here. I’ve managed to get a 3.8 GPA so far and I’m wondering if that’s solid for schools like the Ivies or other top-tier institutions. Would a 3.8 GPA be competitive, or do I need to set my bar even higher to get noticed?

5 months ago

I understand the pressure you’re feeling! A 3.8 GPA is certainly strong and indicative of a high level of academic achievement. At top-tier colleges, the majority of applicants are academically qualified, so the differences in GPA are often marginal.

It's important to remember that while GPA is crucial, these schools use a holistic review process, so they'll also consider the rigor of your courses, your essays, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars. If your 3.8 GPA includes challenging courses like AP or IB classes, that adds to the robustness of your academic profile. Keep pushing for excellence in all areas of your application to make the strongest case for admission.

5 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.