3.9 GPA Colleges: Browse Schools That Accept a 3.9 GPA
Grade point average, or GPA, provides a numeric snapshot of high school academic performance by taking the average of all your final grades. A 3.9 GPA conveys that every grade you’ve earned has been an A.
Is a 3.9 GPA Good?
GPA is scored on a 4.0 scale. So strictly speaking, a 3.9 GPA is just a tenth shy of a perfect score and demonstrates academic excellence in every class. A 3.9 GPA far exceeds the average GPA that most colleges use as their unspoken baseline for competitive admission (3.0) as well as the benchmark GPA for more selective colleges (3.5). Because of this, a 3.9 GPA makes it possible to be considered for admission at most colleges and universities throughout the country, including at elite schools.
What Colleges Can I Get Into With a 3.9 GPA?
A 3.9 GPA qualifies for admission to a large number of colleges and universities and we’ve compiled a sample list of them below. While GPA alone won’t guarantee admission, all of these institutions have a history of accepting students in the 3.9-4.0 range.
If you’re a freshman or sophomore, continue practicing all the good study and testing habits that earned a 3.9 GPA and stay motivated to maintain this academic performance. Since your GPA is in such a good place, it’ll be beneficial to focus some effort on extracurricular activities. Not only will joining after school clubs and organizations help you find something that you’re passionate about, but it will also benefit you during the college admission process. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students, so joining a sport and/or participating in community service projects looks great on your applications.
For juniors, it’s time to focus on preparing for standardized testing while continuing to maintain your GPA. Remember that many colleges weight SAT or ACT scores similarly with GPA when considering applications so it’s important to devote enough energy to preparing for an entrance exam. Download a few practice tests and time yourself while taking them to get used to the format. If one’s available, sign up for a test prep class through your high school and put in the effort to make sure your standardized test score lives up to the precedent your GPA has set.
As for seniors, make sure that every part of your application depicts you in the best possible light including the essay, after school activities list, and test scores. Have your college counselor read your essay and offer suggestions for improvement. Meet with visiting college admissions representatives and do some networking to determine what they’re looking for on an application. And if you’re looking for ways to further enhance your academic record, consider taking a class for college credit. Explore your high school’s AP offerings or the “early college” classes offered at the local community college. These courses help show prospective schools that you’re able to handle a college-level academic workload.
What Are Colleges Looking At Other Than a 3.9 High School GPA?
There’s always a lot of focus on GPA during high school — which is very likely how you achieved a 3.9! Congratulations! Also know that colleges and universities are interested in knowing more about you than just that single snapshot of your academic career — they want to know how you spend your time outside of the classroom. What are you interested in? Where do you imagine your life taking you? To show that, include as many of the following as possible into your application packet:
- SAT Scores / ACT Scores
- Extracurricular/Afterschool activities
- Sports
- Application Essays
- Volunteer Work / Community Service
- Jobs / Internships / Special Projects
- FAFSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3.9 GPA in high school considered good?
Considering the highest possible GPA is 4.0, it’s pretty easy to unequivocally say yes, a 3.9 is a great GPA. The average high school student graduates with a 3.0, so your achievement is well-above average and qualifies for you for acceptance into even the most competitive institutions.
What colleges can I get into with a 3.9 GPA?
With a 3.9 GPA, you’re eligible for admission at a vast majority of colleges, even at the top tier of the most competitive. You can apply to some truly big-name colleges with reasonable chance for acceptance, including the University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and Boston College.
You’re also eligible to apply to Ivy League Institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, but remember that no GPA or standardized test score guarantees admission to Ivy Leagues. Apply! You qualify for acceptance! But know that they turn away great candidates every year, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t get accepted.
What percentile is a 3.9 GPA?
A 3.9 GPA, or A-average, indicates a percentile of 94.
What scholarships can you get with a 3.9 GPA?
You can apply to just about every scholarship requiring a GPA minimum! You may find a scant few that require a 4.0, but they’ll be few and far between. Make sure to apply for as many scholarships as possible, no matter the dollar amount, because even small amounts of money can help offset the cost of tuition.
