Is a 3.9 unweighted GPA good enough for Harvard?
Asked by: Mrs. Karina Bosco | Last update: September 29, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (53 votes)
Harvard is highly competitive, and the average unweighted GPA of successful applicants is around 3.9, with most admitted students having an unweighted GPA of 4.0. Likewise, the average weighted GPAs tend to be in the 4.5 to 4.8 range.
Is a 3.9 unweighted GPA good enough for the Ivy League?
To be competitive, you would typically want to aim for a 3.9 or higher unweighted GPA, as most Ivy League schools are highly selective and the students they accept usually have top academic performance. However, this does not mean that students with slightly lower GPAs cannot be considered and accepted.
Is an unweighted GPA of 3.9 good?
Assuming an unweighted GPA, a 3.9 means that you're doing exceptionally well. This GPA indicates that you've earned all As on average across all of your classes. If you've been taking high level classes, this is all the more impressive.
Does Harvard accept 3.8 unweighted GPA?
Harvard University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.
Does Yale accept 3.9 GPA?
Your GPA of 3.9 is certainly strong and you certainly can get into Yale with that GPA, but remember, admissions also consider other aspects in addition to GPA.
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
Is a 3.9 GPA OK for Harvard?
In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class, while also taking the highest rigor classes available to you at your high school.
Does Oxford accept 3.9 GPA?
Undergraduate qualifications
If your graduate course at Oxford requires a 'first class undergraduate degree with honours' in the UK system, you will usually need an overall GPA of at least 3.7 out of 4.0/4.3 or 4.5 out of 5.0.
Is a 3.8 unweighted GPA bad?
Is a 3.8 GPA good? If your school uses an unweighted GPA scale, a 3.8 is one of the highest GPAs you can get. You're most likely earning As and A-s in all of your classes.
What's the lowest GPA Yale accepted?
We do not set a minimum GPA, nor do we attempt to re-weight GPA's to any standard other than what a school provides.
Is a 3.7 unweighted GPA bad?
A 3.7 GPA is a very good GPA, especially if your school uses an unweighted scale. This means that you've been earning mostly A-s in all of your classes. If you've been taking high level classes and earning a 3.7 unweighted GPA, you're in great shape and can expect to be accepted to many selective colleges.
How rare is a 3.9 GPA?
3.9 GPA is equivalent to 94% or A letter grade. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 3.9 is far above average. A 3.9 is so high that it can be hard to raise it any higher!
Can I get into Stanford with a 3.9 GPA?
Average GPA: 3.9
This makes Stanford Extremely Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.9, Stanford requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
Can I get into Harvard law with a 3.5 GPA?
The most recent Harvard Law entering class had a median GPA of 3.92; the lowest GPA accepted was 3.82. As such, Harvard does not consider a 3.0 GPA competitive, so it's very unlikely you will get into it if you have this GPA.
What is the lowest GPA an Ivy League has accepted?
Contrary to common misconception, there's no “minimum” GPA at Ivy League schools. “What is the lowest GPA the Ivies admit?”, you may ask. If you look at their websites, they've accepted students with as low as a 2.5 GPA, which are most probably athletes.
Can I get into Harvard with a 3.9 GPA?
What GPA should I have? Applicants should be between 3.9 and 4.0 to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by increasing your SAT or ACT score.
Is a 3.9 unweighted GPA good?
It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A average in your courses. A 3.9 GPA is considered a very good GPA and is an indicator of strong academic performance.
Can I get into Yale with a 3.8 GPA unweighted?
Yale doesn't publish an average GPA for its accepted students, but we know that nearly all successful applicants have GPAs in the A range (above a 3.8 unweighted), and most had GPAs of 4.0 unweighted or close to 4.0 weighted.
Is 3.8 GPA too low for Harvard?
Harvard doesn't have a set GPA requirement, but most students who get in have a GPA close to 4.2. Your GPA isn't everything! Harvard looks at your whole application, so other things matter too. Taking harder classes and doing well in other areas of your application can make up for a low GPA.
What GPA is needed for Oxford?
In general, where the minimum entry requirement for your chosen course is a UK first-class undergraduate degree, this equates to an overall US GPA of at least 3.7 based on the 4.0 system.
What GPA does Princeton require?
GPA Requirements
Princeton University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.9 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.92.
Is a 3.9 GPA good enough for the Ivy League?
To get into most Ivy League schools, you'll need an average GPA between 3.9 and 4.0. However, if you're aiming for a top Ivy League university such as Stanford, MIT, or others, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.
Can you get into Cornell with a 3.9 GPA?
The recommended GPA requirements to get into Cornell are between 3.8 and 4.0. You will need a very high GPA and will very likely be graduating in the top quarter of your class in order to get into Cornell University.
Is Oxford better than Harvard?
Here is a comparison based on recent rankings. QS World University Rankings 2025: Oxford is ranked 3rd, while Harvard is ranked 4th. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024: Oxford is ranked 1st, and Harvard is ranked 4th.