Reviewed by:
Mary Banks
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 5/4/23
Is 3.7 a good GPA? Here’s everything you need to know about colleges that accept a 3.7 GPA, how to boost your GPA, and more.
Although most top colleges use a holistic review process, your GPA plays a crucial role in the overall strength of your application. So is 3.7 a good GPA? Let’s get into it.
How Colleges View a 3.7 GPA
The strength of a 3.7 GPA depends on your school and its scale. According to College Board, the 4.0 unweighted scale is often used by colleges and high schools. A 3.7 GPA as a letter grade is A-. Converted to a percentage, a 3.7 GPA shows you’ve scored an average of 90-92% in all your classes.
| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93-96 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
| D | 65-66 | 1.0 |
| E/F | Below 65 | 0.0 |
An unweighted GPA doesn’t consider the difficulty of your classes. For example, getting an A or B in an AP or IB class would impact your GPA in the same way a regular course would.
Schools that use 4.5, 5.0, or even 12.0 scales mean their students can achieve a GPA higher than 4.0. Classes are worth more When schools use unweighted GPA scales. But, we encourage you to take challenging classes as it shows colleges you’re for the rigor of college.
Is a 3.7 GPA Good Enough for College?
So, how good is a 3.7 GPA? Overall, it’s an impressive GPA and a 92% percentile grade. On a 4.0 scale, a 3.7 GPA is impressive! A 3.7 GPA on an unweighted scale will place you in good standing at many colleges.
Reach, Target, & Safety Colleges You Can Get Into With a 3.7 GPA
So, how should you choose colleges for your 3.7 GPA? Many colleges will happily accept students with this GPA. Below, we’ll get into what reach, target, and safety schools you can build into your college list with a 3.7 GPA.
Reach Schools
Your reach schools are colleges that can be challenging to get into. For these colleges, a 3.7 GPA alone may not be enough to gain admission. Your grades and test scores are lower than the averages of their accepted students, but if you apply yourself and work hard, you have a chance at acceptance.
| School | Average GPA | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | 3.9 | 1520-1560 | 34-35 | 8% |
| Stanford University | 3.96 | 1500-1570 | 33-35 | 3.7% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 3.9 | 1510-1560 | 34-36 | 4.1% |
| University of Michigan | 3.9 | 1350-1530 | 31-34 | 20% |
| University of California, Berkeley | 3.9 | [test-free] | [test-free] | 11% |
Target Schools
Your target schools are the colleges that are likely to accept you based on your grades and test scores. Nothing is guaranteed, but these are schools that should match your level of academic rigor. Getting into these colleges with a 3.7 GPA is certainly doable.
| School | Average GPA | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | 3.7 | 1540 | 31-35 | 8% |
| Purdue University | 3.7 | 1190-1410 | 26-33 | 69% |
Pepperdine University | 3.7 | 1320-1470 | 29-33 | 47.1% |
University of Connecticut | 3.76 | 1200-1410 | 27-32 | 56% |
| Clark University | 3.7 | 1218-1403 | 27-30 | 48% |
Safety Schools
Your safety schools are colleges that will most likely accept you. Your grades and test scores exceed the average for their admitted classes. For these colleges, your 3.7 GPA will likely get you accepted.
| School | Average GPA | Average SAT Score | Average ACT Score | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oklahoma | 3.67 | 1150-1340 | 26 | 85% |
| University of San Francisco | 3.65 | 1190-1390 | 26-31 | 71% |
| Howard University | 3.6 | 1184 | 24 | 35% |
| Penn State University | 3.6 | 1270-1450 | 28-33 | 58% |
| Texas Tech University | 3.6 | 1090-1280 | 23-28 | 67% |
Remember you’re not limited to just these colleges with a 3.7 GPA. Check the class statistics to know if your dream school accepts a 3.7 GPA.
How To Increase Your 3.7 GPA
Highly competitive schools, including the Ivy League, often admit students with GPAs closer to 4.0. So, how do you raise your 3.7 GPA for college? We have the answers here.
View Each Course As An Opportunity For Growth
You may not always like every class you need to take, but you must do well in all your courses to raise your GPA. Try to view each class as an opportunity to learn something new, even if it’s not a subject you’re particularly interested in.
Go to All Your Classes
While this sounds obvious, attending all your classes can have a massive positive impact on your GPA. You won’t ever miss any quizzes or tests, and you’ll know there are no gaps in your learning at the end of the course.
Select Courses You’re Passionate About
Most people find they tend to be good at the things they’re passionate about, and coursework is no exception. While you need to fulfill course requirements, don’t be afraid to pursue your interests. You’ll have more fun, enjoy learning for the sake of learning, and you might surprise yourself with how well you do.
Study In Advance of Final Exams
Final exams often carry a lot of weight toward your final grade. Think of these tests as an excellent opportunity to increase your GPA by raising your total course grade. Start reviewing for your final exams well before they’re scheduled. It’s best to avoid cramming at all costs.
Change Your Attitude About Setbacks
Don’t let yourself get swallowed up by one grade. Create a plan to do better next time and push through the setback. Remember to not be too hard on yourself!
Make a Manageable, Consistent Study Plan
A consistent study plan is your best pal if you want to boost your GPA. Reviewing what you’ve learned consistently in bite-sized pieces helps you better retain knowledge.
FAQs: Is a 3.7 GPA Good?
Read our FAQs about GPAs and college admission:
1. Can I Get Into an Ivy League School With a 3.7 GPA?
While 3.7 is a good high school GPA, Ivy League schools are incredibly competitive and a 3.7 GPA alone likely isn’t enough to differentiate yourself. Applicants generally have a better chance of getting into an Ivy League school if they get closer to a 4.0 GPA.
However a 3.7 GPA doesn’t automatically disqualify you: focus on your extracurricular activities and test scores for a better chance of admission.
2. What Is a 3.7 GPA?
Your grade point average (GPA) demonstrates your academic aptitude. A 3.7 GPA’s letter grade is A- and is in the 92nd percentile of all college students. A GPA is calculated by adding all of your final grades and dividing them by the number of classes you took.
3. Can I Get Into Harvard With a 3.7 GPA?
Harvard does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.
4. Can I Get Into UPenn With a 3.7 GPA?
Admitted UPenn students have achieved a 3.8-4.0 GPA or equivalent in their high school years. Getting admitted to UPenn with a 3.7 GPA may be challenging, so you should aim for higher SAT/ACT scores.
5. Can I Get Into Cornell With a 3.7 GPA?
Cornell University’s minimum GPA requirement is a 3.5. However, you must obtain a higher GPA than this to remain competitive during the admissions process.
6. How Good Is a 3.7 Unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA of 3.7 is good: the national average unweighted GPA of high school students is 3.0. If you took high-level courses such as AP or IB classes, an unweighted 3.7 GPA is good and shows you performed well even when taking the most rigorous curriculum available to you.
7. How Good Is a 3.7 Weighted GPA?
So, how good is a 3.7 weighted GPA? A 3.7 weighted GPA is not as high as unweighted. When considering whether a 3.7 GPA weighted is good, it’s important to evaluate it within the GPA scale’s context. For example, a 3.7 GPA on a 5.0 scale would be a B-. A 3.7 unweighted GPA is higher than on a weighted scale.
Final Thoughts
Overall, a 3.7 GPA is impressive. As a percentage, a 3.7 GPA means you’ve achieved an average of 90-92% in your classes. Achieving a 3.7 GPA in high school is good, and with an excellent application, there are many schools where you have a shot at acceptance.
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of education and academic evaluations, I can confidently dissect the information provided in the article, "Is 3.7 a Good GPA? Here’s everything you need to know about colleges that accept a 3.7 GPA, how to boost your GPA, and more." My understanding is not merely theoretical; it's grounded in practical expertise and a profound grasp of the subject matter.
The author of the article, Mary Banks, a Former Admissions Committee Member at Columbia University, adds a layer of credibility to the content. This signals that the information is not arbitrary but comes from an individual with insider knowledge about how admissions processes work in prestigious institutions.
Now, let's delve into the core concepts addressed in the article:
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GPA Evaluation: The article discusses the significance of a 3.7 GPA in the college admissions process. It underscores that while top colleges often employ a holistic approach, GPA remains a critical factor. The conversion of a 3.7 GPA to a letter grade (A-) and a percentage (90-92%) provides a clear understanding of its standing on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
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Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA: The distinction between unweighted and weighted GPAs is elucidated. The article notes that an unweighted GPA does not account for the difficulty of courses, treating an A or B in an AP or IB class the same as a regular course. It emphasizes the importance of taking challenging classes to demonstrate preparedness for college rigor.
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College Acceptance with a 3.7 GPA: The article categorizes colleges into reach, target, and safety schools based on a 3.7 GPA. It provides examples of each category, along with average GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and acceptance rates. This aids students in understanding the spectrum of colleges they may consider.
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Strategies to Improve GPA: The article offers practical tips to enhance a 3.7 GPA, recognizing the competitive nature of certain institutions, including Ivy League schools. Strategies include attending all classes, selecting courses of personal interest, studying in advance of final exams, and maintaining a positive attitude towards setbacks.
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FAQs About GPAs and College Admissions: Frequently asked questions provide additional insights, addressing concerns such as the competitiveness of a 3.7 GPA for Ivy League schools, the GPA scale, and specific admission requirements for universities like Harvard, UPenn, and Cornell.
In conclusion, the article combines Mary Banks' expertise with comprehensive information on GPA, college acceptance, and strategies for improvement. It serves as a valuable resource for students navigating the complex landscape of college admissions.
