What GPA is Required for Princeton? Here’s What You Need to Know

The GPA Myth: It’s Not Just About Numbers

Well, let me start by saying this: Princeton isn’t all about GPA. Yeah, I know, you’ve heard a million times that GPA is the key to getting into Ivy League schools, but honestly, it's not as simple as that. Don't get me wrong, a strong GPA is certainly important, but it's just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Actually, I was talking to a friend recently who was freaking out over her GPA, thinking it was the only thing Princeton cared about. I had to tell her, "Relax, it’s not just about the grades."

That being said, let's break it down and see what kind of GPA is expected at Princeton, and why other factors matter too.

What GPA is Considered Competitive for Princeton?

Okay, so let’s get to the numbers. If you’re aiming for Princeton, a GPA around 3.9 or higher is considered competitive. And I’m talking about an unweighted GPA here – that means, no extra points for honors or AP courses. Why? Because Princeton, like most Ivy League schools, looks at how you perform in your regular, non-weighted courses. Now, if you have a 4.0 in weighted GPA, that’s fantastic, but the unweighted one is the key figure they’ll likely focus on.

Should You Aim for a 4.0?

Honestly, aiming for a perfect 4.0? It's definitely going to help, but don’t feel like it’s the end of the world if you don’t get there. I remember my friend Claire, who was applying to Princeton, stressing over every B she got. In the end, she made it in with a GPA just under 4.0. Why? Because it wasn’t just about her grades—it was her holistic application that really stood out.

So, yeah, a 4.0 would be ideal, but a GPA of 3.8 or higher will still put you in a good spot.

Other Factors Princeton Looks At Beyond GPA

Alright, so you’re still wondering—what else matters, right? Well, Princeton’s admissions team doesn’t just look at GPA and standardized test scores. They consider a whole bunch of other factors in their decision-making process.

Your High School Transcript

Now, don’t freak out—I know this sounds super obvious, but Princeton doesn’t just care about your GPA, they also care about the rigor of your coursework. What does that mean? If you took challenging classes—APs, IBs, honors—you’re already showing that you're not afraid to push yourself. But if you coasted through an easier track, you’re going to have a tougher time competing with other applicants who challenged themselves.

Standardized Test Scores: Are They Really That Important?

Okay, so here's a big question everyone has: What about SAT or ACT scores? Actually, Princeton recently adopted a test-optional policy. Yeah, that’s right. So, if you didn’t get that perfect 1600 on your SAT, you don’t have to panic. Honestly, though, if you have strong test scores (let’s say above a 1500 SAT or a 33 ACT), you should still submit them, but if you don't, it's okay too. Just make sure your other components of the application are stellar.

Extracurriculars and Personal Statement

Alright, I can’t emphasize this enough—don’t neglect your extracurriculars. It’s one thing to have a 3.9 GPA, but what sets you apart from thousands of other high-achieving applicants? Well, it’s your activities, leadership roles, volunteer work, and personal story. Princeton wants to know who you are as a person, not just as a student.

Take it from me—I spent so much time focusing on my GPA during high school that I almost forgot to actually be involved in things I cared about. But guess what? When I applied to colleges, I realized my volunteer work and my passion for coding were what really helped me stand out. If I hadn’t worked on those, my GPA alone wouldn’t have been enough.

The Bottom Line: GPA Is Important, But So Is Everything Else

Honestly, I get it—you want to know exactly what GPA will get you into Princeton. But here’s the thing: There’s no magic number. A strong GPA helps, but it’s just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. You’ve got to bring your A-game with your extracurriculars, your essays, and your personality. So, if you’re sitting there worrying about whether your GPA is "good enough," I’d say take a deep breath. Focus on showing Princeton who you really are, and how you’re going to make a difference at their university.

And hey, don’t stress too much over those little slip-ups or mistakes in your high school years. Trust me, everyone has them. What matters is how you bounce back and what you do with the opportunities you have now.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.