Hi there, I saw that Stanford is pretty competitive when it comes to GPA. What's the average GPA of accepted students? Is it better for me to focus on raising my GPA or focus more on my extracurriculars?
The average unweighted GPA of accepted students at Stanford is typically around 3.9 out of 4.0. However, keep in mind that there is no strict GPA cutoff—Stanford takes a holistic approach to admissions, considering your entire application profile.
While having a strong GPA is important for any competitive university, having a high GPA alone is not enough. Stanford looks for students with a well-rounded profile that includes standout extracurriculars. Successful applicants often have a highly-developed area of expertise, known as a "spike," showcasing significant achievements in their chosen field.
If your GPA is already in the range of accepted students (3.8-4.0 unweighted), it might be worthwhile to focus more on your extracurriculars, as maintaining a high GPA alone will not distinguish you from other competitive applicants. If your GPA is below the average range, it would be beneficial to work on boosting your academic performance, but don't neglect your extracurriculars entirely.
Ultimately, it's crucial to strike a balance between maintaining a strong GPA and fostering an impactful extracurricular profile. Make sure you are not only focusing on one aspect of your application to the detriment of the other, as both are essential in showcasing your potential for success at a top-tier university like Stanford.
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