Does NYU look at weighted or unweighted GPA?

Asked by: Isidro Bauch  |  Last update: June 3, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (63 votes)

NYU looks at both your weighted and unweighted GPA, but they emphasize your performance within your high school's context, meaning they consider your rigorous coursework (AP/IB/Honors) alongside your overall grades to see your academic achievement in challenging classes. While averages hover around a 3.9 unweighted and 4.2 weighted, NYU focuses on your transcript's story, your essays, and extracurriculars for a holistic view, not just a number.

Does NYU want weighted or unweighted GPA?

While NYU does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement, successful applicants typically present GPAs around 3.9 (unweighted) and 4.2 (weighted). The admissions committee considers the overall academic profile, including course rigor and class rank, so maintaining strong grades is essential.

What GPA scale does NYU use?

Your grade point average (or GPA) is a weighted average that measures scholastic achievement on a scale from 4.000 (an A) to 0.000 (an F). Your GPA contains three decimal points, rather than one, because of a University Senate resolution issued in March 2018.

Can I get into NYU with a 3.6 weighted GPA?

Is your high school GPA good enough for New York University (NYU)? The average high school GPA for admitted students at New York University (NYU) is 3.62 on a 4.0 scale. (You can calculate your high school a GPA here.)

What GPA does NYU look at?

a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) is recommended. Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing as demonstrated in their academic transcript and application.

Do Universities Look at Weighted Or Unweighted GPA? - CountyOffice.org

37 related questions found

Is it harder to get into NYU or UCLA?

UCLA is generally considered harder to get into than NYU based on raw acceptance rates (around 9% for UCLA vs. around 8% for NYU recently), but both are extremely competitive, with UCLA receiving more applications and NYU often having slightly lower rates recently, making them tough "super reach" schools; however, factors like major (e.g., NYU Stern vs. UCLA Engineering), applicant pool quality, and even early decision (ED) for NYU can significantly shift difficulty. 

What is the lowest GPA NYU will accept?

While NYU doesn't publicly state a minimum GPA requirement for admissions, it's a highly competitive institution, and the acceptance rate is quite low. The average unweighted GPA of admitted students at NYU is typically a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

Is a 4.39 weighted GPA good?

Is a 4.3 GPA good? This GPA is above a 4.0, which means it's weighted (it takes into account the difficulty of your classes in conjunction with your grades). This is a very good GPA. It most likely means you're taking high level classes and are earning As and Bs.

Which NYU school is hardest to get into?

NYU's hardest undergraduate schools to get into are typically the Stern School of Business and the College of Arts & Science (CAS), often hovering around 7% acceptance rates, with Stern being particularly competitive due to high demand for its business programs, while Tisch (Arts) and Nursing are also very selective, but Tandon (Engineering) and Steinhardt (Education/Arts) tend to have higher acceptance rates. 

Is a 3.8 GPA too low for the Ivy League?

A 3.8 GPA is very strong and makes you a competitive applicant for Ivy League schools, but it's generally below the average admitted student (often 3.9-4.0 unweighted) and requires a standout application in other areas, like exceptional essays, impressive extracurriculars, and high test scores, to compensate and differentiate you from many other high-achieving students. While not a dealbreaker, you'll need to show unique talents, leadership, or significant achievement to make up for a GPA slightly below the typical accepted range.
 

Is a 93% an A or B?

A 93% is usually an A- (A minus) in most US schools, falling just below a straight 'A' (93-97% range), but it can be a straight 'A' if the grading scale starts the 'A' at 93% or lower, so always check your specific teacher's or school's grading scale. 

Does NYU inflate grades?

To ensure parity among required course sections and to prevent grade inflation, core faculty are required to impose a 35% maximum of the letter grade of "A" or "A-".

What are my odds of getting into NYU?

The acceptance rate at NYU is 9.2%.

For every 100 applicants, only 9 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective.

Is a 4.7 a good weighted GPA?

In general, a 4.7 weighted GPA is considered very competitive and indicates a high level of academic achievement in challenging courses.

What does NYU value the most?

Initiative and Independence: NYU values students who can thrive in a dynamic, self-directed environment. Highlight experiences that show creativity, resourcefulness, and an independent spirit. Showcase problem-solving skills or instances where you've taken initiative in your school or community.

Is weighted or unweighted GPA harder?

To put it simply, admissions officers recognize: An unweighted GPA shows raw academic performance, not considering the rigor of coursework. A weighted GPA considers the difficulty of classes, and assigns higher value points for more challenging courses.

Is UCLA or NYU harder to get into?

UCLA is generally considered harder to get into than NYU based on raw acceptance rates (around 9% for UCLA vs. around 8% for NYU recently), but both are extremely competitive, with UCLA receiving more applications and NYU often having slightly lower rates recently, making them tough "super reach" schools; however, factors like major (e.g., NYU Stern vs. UCLA Engineering), applicant pool quality, and even early decision (ED) for NYU can significantly shift difficulty. 

Can I get into NYU with a 1470 SAT?

Yes, you can get into NYU with a 1470 SAT, as it falls within their middle 50% score range (1470-1570), but it's at the lower end, so your overall application (GPA, essays, extracurriculars) must be very strong, especially for competitive programs like STEM or Stern, where a higher Math score (above 720) is often needed. Your 1470 score is good and puts you in the competitive pool, but NYU is holistic, so a stellar essay and strong profile are crucial. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes yearly and depends on metrics, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (around 3-4%) and fierce competition, though some sources might point to Minerva University (1%) or The Juilliard School for arts. Harvard is often cited as the most famous, while Caltech is known for STEM, and Minerva for its unique global program. 

Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?

Yes, it is possible for students to achieve a 6.0 GPA, but only in high schools with heavily weighted grading systems that give extra points for advanced courses like AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment classes, making the scale go beyond the traditional 4.0. While extremely rare and dependent on specific school policies, students have earned GPAs over 5.0 and even into the 6.0 range by taking numerous challenging courses and earning all A's, though many schools cap their weighted scales around 5.0. 

Is a 4.6 weighted GPA good for Harvard?

GPA Requirements for Harvard

Harvard does not publish a strict minimum GPA requirement, but successful applicants typically have GPAs between 3.9 and 4.0 (unweighted) or 4.1 to 4.5 (weighted) on a 5.0 scale.

How can someone have a 5.0 GPA?

In some high schools, AP and IB classes have a weighted GPA scale where an A in those classes is worth 5.0 points instead of the typical 4.0 points for a regular class. In this case, if a student takes all AP or IB courses and receives straight A's in every subject, they can achieve a 5.0 GPA.

What type of student is NYU looking for?

NYU is a highly selective university, and they look for high school students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and a strong potential to contribute to the university community.

What's the lowest GPA Harvard has ever accepted?

There's no official minimum GPA for Harvard, but successful applicants average around 3.9-4.0, though some are admitted with lower GPAs (e.g., 2.5-3.7) if they possess exceptional extracurriculars, essays, test scores, or unique backgrounds, with very few admitted below 3.5, often recruited athletes or those with significant life experiences. Your chances significantly increase with challenging coursework and outstanding achievements in other areas to compensate for a lower GPA.