So I’ve been grinding through high school and have a 3.9 unweighted GPA. I'm pretty proud, but also a little stressed about whether that’s competitive for admissions to highly selective colleges. Do admissions officers view a 3.9 unweighted GPA as impressive?
First off, a 3.9 unweighted GPA is excellent—congratulations on that accomplishment! Admissions officers will definitely consider it impressive, as it signals strong academic performance across the board. It’s important to note, however, that the most competitive colleges also look for rigorous coursework—so if that GPA includes challenging classes like AP, IB, or honors courses, it strengthens your academic profile even more.
Remember that whilst your GPA is a crucial component, selective colleges also evaluate the context of your high school’s curriculum and other parts of your application like essays, recommendation letters, and extracurricular achievements. Keep up the great work, and continue to focus on other areas of your application to paint the fullest picture of who you are as a student and an individual!
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