If you currently have a 3.8 and are researching what this means to your academic future, this page has resources which will cover the following.
A 3.8 is very close of the highest possible GPA on the 4.0 scale. It shows that you've primarily achieved A's and a few B's or A-'s, demonstrating a high level of academic accomplishment. This puts you in a strong position for acceptance at many prestigious colleges and is likely to attract the attention of college recruiters.
A 3.8 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.8 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered excellent performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.8 grade point average is 91% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 91% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- letter grades range from 3.7 to 3.9. Your 3.8 GPA positions you in the middle of the A- range, demonstrating you have likely earned almost all A's (4.0) with a few B's (3.0). Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.
A 3.8 is a bit below the average that Harvard or Ivy League schools usually accept. However, all of these elite colleges do admit some students with 3.8's every year. You would need to stand out in other ways with very high SATs, ACTs, AP classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and a compelling essay.
Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 3.8 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.
Magna cum laude or "with great distinction" is the second highest Latin Honor. It is awarded to graduates with the very high academic performance. The exact range for magna cum laude varies by college or high school but is generally between a 3.7 and 3.8 GPA. As a result, a graduate with a 3.8 GPA is typically eligible for the magna cum laude distinction.
Many high schools have honor rolls which are published to recognize students with consistently high performance. The qualifications for getting on the honor roll vary from school to school. Frequently, a high and standard honor roll is established with different criteria, sometimes for students above 3.0, 3.5 or 3.75 GPAs. In most cases a 3.8 will get you on the honor roll.
The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.8. As you progress in school it becomes more and more difficult to improve your overall grade point average. Select the tab and table column corresponding to the last semester you completed. Then find a row for your predicted future letter grade average. The result would be your GPA at graduation if you can maintain that letter grade.
By examining the average high school GPA for students who were admitted to 1,369 selective four-year colleges, we can see how a 3.8 compares when applying to college. As you can see, a 3.8 is higher than the average accepted GPA for the vast majority of colleges in the U.S.
Here are 452 selective four year colleges where the average high school grades for incoming freshman is in the 3.8 range (+/- 0.2). You have a competitive chance getting into all of these schools with a 3.8. Some popular colleges are...
There are 46 reach colleges where you can possibly get in with a 3.8 GPA. Acceptance may be more difficult because your grades are a bit lower than their average or competition for acceptance is high.
Additionally, you should keep in mind these 1,261 safety schools where their average GPA is either lower . You are likely to get into these colleges so they are a good backup plan.
Conversion table of the unweighted 4.0 grade point scale with letter grade and percentage equivalents. This unweighted GPA scale is used my most U.S. high schools and colleges.
| GPA | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A/A+ | 93-100 |
| 3.9 | A- | 92 |
| 3.8 | A- | 91 |
| 3.7 | A- | 90 |
| 3.6 | B+ | 89 |
| 3.5 | B+ | 88 |
| 3.4 | B+ | 87 |
| 3.3 | B+ | 87 |