Anonymous
02/04/2026 13:12
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.
Not from NCS. You need a 3.8 minimum for top 20s, preferably 3.9. 3.7 won't cut it if you are not hooked. Maybe it's different at Sidwell.
Sidwell isn’t inflated like NCS so yes, it’s different
Not true, I know a handful of girls who graduated from NCS within the last few years who were offered spots at T20's with a 3.4 and 1400+ SAT. Not sure if NCS is inflated, but I know Sidwell has an outstanding reputation, and the kids are well prepared. I'm assuming it's the same for some of the other schools as well.
Uh, where are they in the Scoir data? You are making this up. It doesn't exist. I have a current senior and there is no such data.
Anonymous
02/04/2026 11:53
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.
Not from NCS. You need a 3.8 minimum for top 20s, preferably 3.9. 3.7 won't cut it if you are not hooked. Maybe it's different at Sidwell.
Sidwell isn’t inflated like NCS so yes, it’s different
Not true, I know a handful of girls who graduated from NCS within the last few years who were offered spots at T20's with a 3.4 and 1400+ SAT. Not sure if NCS is inflated, but I know Sidwell has an outstanding reputation, and the kids are well prepared. I'm assuming it's the same for some of the other schools as well.
Anonymous
02/04/2026 10:23
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.
Not from NCS. You need a 3.8 minimum for top 20s, preferably 3.9. 3.7 won't cut it if you are not hooked. Maybe it's different at Sidwell.
Sidwell isn’t inflated like NCS so yes, it’s different
NCS is inflated?
Anonymous
02/04/2026 10:21
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.
Not from NCS. You need a 3.8 minimum for top 20s, preferably 3.9. 3.7 won't cut it if you are not hooked. Maybe it's different at Sidwell.
Sidwell isn’t inflated like NCS so yes, it’s different
Anonymous
02/04/2026 09:57
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Keep in mind this thread and the posts people are responding to are from 2022. Things may have changed, especially regarding GPAs etc needed to get into top colleges.
Anonymous
02/04/2026 09:55
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.
Not from NCS. You need a 3.8 minimum for top 20s, preferably 3.9. 3.7 won't cut it if you are not hooked. Maybe it's different at Sidwell.
Anonymous
02/04/2026 07:44
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Always keep in mind that the rigor counts as much, if not more -- the kid with a 3.7 who takes all baseline classes will be viewed in a very different light from the one who takes all advanced/accelerated/AP classes. The GPA is viewed in the context of the school, what's available, and to what extent the student pushed themselves. The number alone is meaningless.
Have not seen this coming from 2 different Big3 schools over the past 2 yrs. GPA is what matters. Rigor not so much.
Get the highest GPA you can and be very strategic about which courses your child takes to facilitate this.
From another "Big 3" parent, this is the exact opposite of what we're seeing when it comes to the most selective colleges/universities (aside from kids with clear hooks (legacy and sports). Yes, GPA matters, but these schools look closely at the rigor of their courses in the context of that GPA.
Anonymous
02/04/2026 07:05
Subject: Median HS GPA at Big 3?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And do people actually truly know what the median GPA is at Sidwell, GDS, Maret or STA/NCS? I would think that info is not available. All I've heard is that a 4.0 is very rare at these schools and that a 3.5 is respectable. No idea what is true or not.
It's all speculative. Ideally, you want a 3.7+ from these schools for the most selective colleges.
Ideally, yes, but there are instances where kids with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 and good test scores are admitted to Ivy League schools and top-tier universities. The rigor of these schools is well-known and considered when evaluating applicants. However, the admissions process varies from year to year.