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Duke University
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UCLA
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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)

Concerned about my IB GPA - is it too low for top colleges?

I'm kind of freaking out because I feel like my IB GPA isn't high enough for the ivies and other top schools I'm considering. Does anyone know how colleges evaluate an IB GPA? Is there any scaling or consideration for the difficulty of the IB program when looking at GPA? Any advice or personal experiences would be hugely helpful.

9 months ago

First off, it's normal to have concerns about your academic profile when aiming for highly selective institutions. Colleges are indeed aware of the rigorous nature of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and do take the program's challenge level into consideration when evaluating GPAs. Admissions officers are experienced in looking at applicants within the context of their high school's curriculum, and they tend to view IB courses favorably due to the academic rigor and preparation they offer. It's not just about the GPA number; it's the substance behind it, the rigor of your courses, and your performance within the context of the IB program.

Additionally, you may want to look into the Academic Index, which includes more than just your GPA, to see where you stand relative to accepted students at your target schools. Most importantly, continue to excel in your IB courses and showcase your commitment to learning. If you're concerned your GPA might not fully reflect your academic abilities, you can focus on other areas of your application, like your essays, to distinguish yourself. While not a guarantee, maintaining a strong performance in the IB can indeed reflect well on your application.

9 months ago

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