Hey everyone, I am looking at the University of Colorado Boulder for its environmental science program. Just curious, does anyone know what kind of GPA they usually look for? Just trying to figure out my chances. Thanks in advance!
While the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) doesn't officially state a minimum required GPA, the average high school GPA of students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences (which houses the environmental science program) is typically between 3.70 - 4.22 on a weighted scale.
Having a GPA within or above that range will certainly help your case, but remember that GPA is only one facet of your application, and other factors like course rigor, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation will carry weight as well.
Even if you're above a 4.22, make sure to invest time and energy into these other important areas, while if you're below a 3.7, don't panic - just focus on showcasing your strengths in other areas. For example, demonstrating a genuine passion for environmental science in your activities list and essays can help you stand out, regardless of your GPA.
If you want to know how you stack up overall at CU Boulder, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including not just GPA but also course rigor, test scores (if you have them), and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at CU Boulder and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator
This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, whether by raising your GPA slightly or some other step, like earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars.
Or, if you want tips on how to strengthen the more intangible aspects of your application, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle CU Boulder's school-specific supplemental essay(s): https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-colorado-boulder-essays/. The essays are a great way of showcasing what you have to offer beyond the numbers.
Good luck!
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