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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)

Defining an Excellent GPA

With college applications becoming more and more competitive, I'm wondering what constitutes an excellent GPA these days. Like, what's considered a 'safe' or 'standout' GPA when applying to colleges? I'm trying to understand where I should aim for academically to be a competitive applicant.

9 months ago

An excellent GPA can be subjective, as it depends on the colleges you're targeting and their respective applicant pools. However, here's a general classification to help you understand what might be considered a "safe" or "standout" GPA when applying to colleges:

1. Weighted GPA:

- 4.0 and above: A standout GPA. Students with a 4.0 weighted GPA and above are considered to be in the top percentage of their class and are perceived as strong candidates for selective colleges.

- 3.75 - 3.99: A safe and competitive GPA. This range is seen as very good by most colleges and demonstrates that you've performed well in high school. A strong application paired with this GPA will likely make you a competitive candidate.

- 3.5 - 3.74: An above-average GPA. This range is still considered above most students, but you may want to put extra effort into other aspects of your application (essays, extracurriculars, test scores, etc.) to make sure you stand out in competitive applicant pools.

2. Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):

- 3.9 - 4.0: A standout GPA. Frequently earning A or A+ grades in high school puts you in a strong position for selective colleges. This shows you've excelled in your coursework and prioritized academics.

- 3.7 - 3.89: A safe and competitive GPA. With mostly A's and a few B's on your transcript, colleges will understand that you're a dedicated and hardworking student. This range is perceived as very good by most colleges.

- 3.5 - 3.69: An above-average GPA. This indicates you consistently earned good grades, but you should still strive to achieve higher if possible. Similarly, you'll want to focus on other components of your application to make you a more competitive applicant.

Bear in mind that a higher GPA is generally better, but it's not the only factor that college admissions committees consider. Your coursework rigor (AP, IB, or Honors classes), extracurricular activities, test scores (if applicable), and essays also make a significant impact on your overall application. The significance of your GPA may also depend on the selectivity of the schools you're aiming for. For top-tier institutions, having a standout GPA supported by excellent test scores and extracurriculars may be necessary. For less selective schools, a safe or above-average GPA could still be competitive, especially when paired with a strong overall application.

9 months ago

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