GPA 3.83: How Competitive?

Hey everyone! I find myself a little proud but also a little worried. I currently have a GPA of 3.83. Clearly, it's not perfect but is it competitive enough for Ivies/highly selective schools? Feeling somewhat stressed about it.

Without a doubt, a 3.83 GPA is quite competitive, especially if it's an unweighted GPA. You should be proud of your academic performance! Most Ivy League or other highly selective schools have an average unweighted GPA of 3.9 and 4.0.

However, it's crucial to remember that the GPA is just one part of your overall candidacy for admission. Admissions committees take into account a variety of factors. For instance, they consider the difficulty of your curriculum — how many AP or Honors classes have you taken? — and the context of your school environment.

What can enhance your application is a strong performance in rigorous courses, as highly selective schools are interested in students who have shown they can handle a tough course load. They also pay attention to the trend of your grades over time - an upward trajectory can help minimize the impact of lower grades early in high school.

Moreover, these institutions look for a "spike" or a highly developed specialty in the applications which refers to your extracurricular activities where you have exhibited an intense dedication or exceptional achievement.

Lastly, remember that essays, letters of recommendation, and, to a lesser extent, standardized test scores (where applicable and not test-blind), are also important. They add color and life to your application beyond just numbers.

So, although a GPA of 3.83 is quite strong, always remember that admissions to these highly selective schools look at a range of factors, not just your GPA.